Univ.  of  111.  Library 
51 


1762 


A SENTIMENT 
IN  VERSE 

For  Every  Day  in  the  Year 

Compiled  by 

WALTER  L.  SHELDON 

Lecturer  of  the  Ethical  Society 
of  St.  Louis 


J 

Btbical  lear  JSoofi  fllo.  1 1 

S.  BURNS  WESTON 
Publisher 

1415  Locust  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
igo6 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/sentimentinverseOOshel 


A#  s 


Pr  ef  atory  Note. 


In  issuing  this  little  volume  the  one  who  has  made  the  collec- 
tion feels  as  if  he  were  parting  with  something  out  of  his  own  life. 
He  has  hesitated  long  in  regard  to  the  matter  and  now  takes  the 
step  with  much  reluctance.  He  began  making  the  compilation 
already  in  his  High  School  days,  over  thirty  years  ago.  It  is  still 
growing  and  will  probably  continue  to  do  so.  From  this  material 
he  has  been  accustomed  to  make  his  selections  for  closing  read- 
ings, following  his  discourses  given  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Ethical  Society  in  St.  Louis,  on  Sunday  mornings.  A strong  de- 
sire has  been  expressed  many  times  by  those  present  on  such 
occasions  to  have  a collection  of  this  kind.  He  has  thought  best 
therefore  to  yield  to  the  wish — although  the  material  thus  brought 
together  had  been  compiled  wholly  for  himself  and  with  no 
thought  of  the  outside  public.  The  selections  are  meant  as  uplifts 
for  the  spirit.  Those  who  would  expect  merely  to  read  the 
volume  through  and  then  lay  it  aside,  had  better  let  it  alone  alto- 
gether. It  is  not  intended  for  miscellaneous  perusal.  The  collec- 
tion is  designed  rather  for  those  who  would  like  to  have  Scrip- 
tures in  verse,  which  they  might  commit  to  memory  and  preserve 
. for  a life  time.  The  volume  therefore  is  adapted  only  for  a spec- 
ial  class  of  persons,  and  the  compiler  hopes  that  just  these  per- 
sons may  find  it  and  know  how  to  value  it.  He  trusts  that  some 
«*/  will  be  inclined  to  commit  all  the  selections  to  memory  and  know 
^“them  by  heart.  Only  in  this  way  will  the  book  serve  its  true  pur- 
J;pose.  This  is  not  a “calendar,”  to  be  read  and  discarded  at  the 
end  of  a year.  Some  families,  however,  may  perhaps  like  to  use 
it  for  readings  once  a day  at  the  dinner  table  as  a kind  of  “grace 
"^before  meat.”  In  that  case  it  is  urged  very  strongly  that  each 
6 selection  always  be  read  twice.  One  must  first  get  the  sense,  and 
/ then  hear  the  lines  a second  time  in  order  to  be  able  to  appreciate 
the  sentiment  and  the  music  without  any  strain  or  effort.  As  for 
the  “Nature”  thread  which  appears  repeatedly,  there  may  be  some 
rf  who  feel  that  in  the  cramped  conditions  of  city  life  this  would 
jHiave  no  meaning  for  them.  But  they  are  to  be  reminded  that 

3 iii 


from  the  standpoint  of  the  poet,  the  flowers  growing  in  their  gar- 
dens, the  dandelion  by  the  wayside,  the  grass  springing  up  along 
the  pavements,  the  trees  standing  in  the  parks — these  are  all 
“Nature; ” quite  as  much  as  big  lakes,  thick  forests  or  high  moun- 
tains. Wlords worth  can  be  enjoyed  even  by  those  who  never  get 
more  than  a few  miles  outside  the  city  limits.  Ethical  piety  may 
also  include  the  cosmic  element.  As  for  the  religious  terms  ap- 
pearing in  the  selections,  it  has  to  be  remembered  that  these  are 
always  far  more  elastic  in  their  meaning  when  voiced  in  the  music 
of  verse  than  when  found  in  prose  literature.  The  language  of 
religion  in  poetry  expresses  feeling  and  not  philosophy  and  has 
a universal  significance.  Even  those  who  rarely  use  these  words 
in  the  form  of  a creed  or  as  the  abstractions  of  theology,  may  still 
cherish  and  value  them  as  expressive  of  feelings  or  a faith  uni- 
versal in  the  human  heart  quite  irrespective  of  sects,  doctrines, 
or  any  one  specific  religion.  In  poetry  each  man  is  free  to  in- 
terpret “God”  in  his  own  way  and  to  give  to  that  name  as  wide 
or  as  narrow  a meaning  as  he  pleases.  Hence  it  is  that  we  may 
all  be  able  to  respond  to  certain  language  in  the  form  of  verse, 
when  we  may  not  be  able  to  do  this  in  the  form  of  creeds.  The 
art  of  poetry  like  that  of  music  speaks  for  the  sentiments  natural 
to  the  human  soul.  We  all  have  feelings  which  seem  to  go  further 
than  our  thinking  will  carry  us.  It  should  be  said  that 
the  compiler  has  taken  the  greatest  care  not  to  print  anything 
from  living  authors  without  first  getting  their  consent — except 
when  it  proved  wholly  impossible  to  locate  them  or  communicate 
with  them.  He  has  thought  best  to  let  each  selection,  however, 
stand  by  itself  without  any  name,  and  to  give  the  author  and  the 
title  of  the  full  poem  in  an  index  at  the  end  of  the  volume.  The 
subjects  attached  to  the  various  lines  are  of  his  own  choosing, 
as  suggesting  what  they  mean  to  him , and  do  not  come  from  the 
respective  poets.  He  hopes  that  these  selections  may  impart  to 
others  something  of  the  comfort  and  strength  and  inspiration 
which  they  have  given  to  him. 

Walter  L.  Sheldon, 

4533  Westminster  Place,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


IV 


Sentiment  in  Verse  for  Every 
*Day  in  the  Tear 


Compiled  by 

WALTER  L.  SHELDON 

LECTURER  OF  THE  ETHICAL  SOCIETY  OF  ST.  LOUIS 


j « « i For  Him  Who  Has  Visions 

JAJN.  1.  Of  the  Harvest  Time. 

“And  his  spirit  leaps  within  him  to  be  gone  before  him  then, 

Underneath  the  light  he  looks  at,  in  among  the  throngs  of 
men; 

Men,  my  brothers,  men  the  workers,  ever  reaping  something 
new; 

That  which  they  have  done  but  earnest  of  the  things  that 
they  shall  do.  ’ ’ 


Of  What  Makes 

Life  A Battle. 

“Our  little  lives  are  kept  in  equipoise 
By  opposite  attractions  and  desires; 

The  struggle  of  the  instinct  that  enjoys, 

And  the  more  noble  instinct  that  aspires.  ’ 1 


JAN.  3. 


Of  What  The 

Prophets  Tell, 


“For  lo!  the  days  are  hastening  on, 

By  prophet-bards  foretold, 

When  with  the  ever-circling  years 
Comes  round  the  age  of  gold; 

When  Peace  shall  over  all  the  earth 
Its  ancient  splendors  fling, 

And  the  whole  world  send  back  the  song 
Which  now  the  angels  sing.” 


2 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


Of  the  Mission 
of  Art. 


JAN.  4. 

“ ’Tis  the  privilege  of  Art 

Thus  to  play  its  cheerful  part, 

Man  in  earth  to  acclimate, 

And  bend  the  exile  to  his  fate, 

And,  molded  to  one  element, 

With  the  days  and  firmament, 

Teach  him  on  these  as  stairs  to  climb 
And  live  on  even  terms  with  Time.” 


JAN.  5. 


Of  Being 
A Free  Man. 


“Yet  to  this  thought  I hold  with  firm  persistence, 
The  last  result  of  wisdom  stamps  it  true; 

He  only  earns  his  freedom  and  existence, 

Who  daily  conquers  them  anew.” 


JAN.  6. 


Of  Nature’s 
Great  Law. 


“What  tho’  the  holy  secret  which  moulds  thee, 
Moulds  not  the  solid  earth?  tho’  never  winds 
Have  whispered  it  to  the  complaining  sea, 
Nature’s  great  law,  and  law  of  all  men’s  minds? — 
To  its  own  impulse  every  creature  stirs; 

Live  by  thy  light , and  earth  will  live  by  hers! ” 


JAN.  7. 


Of  Him  Who 

Is  Above  Envy. 

“I  envy  not  their  hap 
Whom  favor  doth  advance; 

I take  no  pleasure  in  their  pain 
That  have  less  happy  chance. 

To  rise  by  others’  fall 
I deem  a losing  gain: 

All  states  with  others  ’ ruin  built 
To  ruins  run  amain.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


3 


Of  the  World 
To  Come. 

“Ring,  bells  in  unreared  steeples, 

The  joy  of  unborn  peoples! 

Sound,  trumpets  far  off  blown, 

Your  triumph  is  my  own! 

I feel  the  earth  move  sunward, 

I join  the  great  march  onward, 

And  take,  by  faith,  while  living, 

My  freehold  of  thanksgiving. 7 7 


Of  the  One  Law 

For  Everybody. 

“However  others  act  towards  thee 
Act  thou  towards  them  as  seemeth  right; 

And  whatsoever  others  be, 

Be  thou  the  child  of  love  and  light. 77 


Of  Being 

Ever  Young. 

“While  a slave  bewails  his  fetters; 

While  an  orphan  pleads  in  vain: 

While  an  infant  lisps  his  letters, 

Heir  of  all  the  age’s  gain; 

While  a lip  grows  ripe  for  kissing; 

While  a moan  from  man  is  wrung; 

Know,  by  every  want  and  blessing, 

That  the  world  is  young.” 


Of  the  Pleasure 

In  Resistance. 

“Then,  welcome  each  rebuff, 

That  turns  earth’s  smoothness  rough, 

Each  sting  that  bids  nor  sit  nor  stand,  but  go! 

Be  our  joys  three  parts  pain! 

Strive,  and  hold  cheap  the  strain; 

Learn,  nor  account  the  pang ; dare,  never  grudge  the  throe ! 7 9 


JAN.  10. 


JAN.  11. 


JAN.  8. 


JAN.  9. 


4 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


22  Of  the  Measure 

Of  Greatness, 

‘ 6 Toil  on,  then,  Greatness ! thou  art  in  the  right, 

However  narrow  souls  may  call  thee  wrong; 

Be  as  thou  wouldst  be  in  thine  own  clear  sight, 

And  so  thou  wilt  in  all  the  world’s  ere  long; 

For  worldlings  cannot,  struggle  as  they  may, 

From  man’s  great  soul  one  great  thought  hide  away,” 


JAN.  13. 


Of  Memories 

Of  the  Beautiful. 


“ These  beauteous  forms, 
Through  a long  absence,  have  not  been  to  me 
As  is  a landscape  to  a blind  man’s  eye; 

But  oft  in  lonely  rooms,  and  ’mid  the  din 
Of  towns  and  cities,  I have  owed  to  them 
In  hours  of  weariness,  sensations  sweet, 

Felt  in  the  blood,  and  felt  along  the  heart; 
And  passing  even  into  my  purer  mind, 

With  tranquil  restoration.” 


JAN.  14. 


For  Each 

And  All. 


“Once  in  the  flight  of  ages  past, 
There  lived  a man ; and  who  was  he  ? 
Mortal!  howe’er  thy  lot  be  cast, 

That  man  resembled  thee. 

He  saw  whatever  thou  hast  seen; 
Encountered  all  that  troubles  thee; 
He  was — whatever  thou  hast  been; 
He  is — what  thou  shalt  be. 

The  annals  of  the  human  race, 

Their  ruins,  since  the  world  began, 
Of  him  afford  no  other  trace 
Than  this, — there  lived  a man!” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


5 


__  _ Of  One  Who  Has 

iJN.  ID.  A Measure  of  Values. 

“If  I were  told  that  I must  die  to-morrow, 

That  the  next  sun 

Which  sinks  should  bear  one  past  all  fear  and  sorrow 
For  any  one, 

All  the  fight  fought,  all  the  short  journey  through: 
What  should  I do? 

I do  not  think  that  I should  shrink  or  falter, 

But  just  go  on, 

Doing  my  work,  nor  change,  nor  seek  to  alter 
Aught  that  is  gone ; 

But  rise  and  move  and  love  and  smile  and  pray 
For  one  more  day.  ” 


. - « Of  the  Kind  of 

• A Man  We  Like. 

“I  like  the  man  who  faces  what  he  must 
With  step  triumphant  and  a heart  of  cheer; 

Who  fights  the  daily  battle  without  fear; 

Nor  loses  faith  in  man;  but  does  his  best, 

Nor  ever  murmurs  at  his  humblest  lot^ 

But,  with  a smile  and  words  of  hope,  gives  zest 
To  every  toiler.  He  alone  is  great 
Who  by  a life  heroic  conquers  fate.” 


JAN.  17. 


Of  the  Pathway 

Of  Duty. 


“ Stern  Lawgiver!  yet  thou  dost  wear 
The  Godhead’s  most  benignant  grace; 

Nor  know  we  anything  so  fair 
As  is  the  smile  upon  thy  face: 

Flowers  laugh  before  thee  on  their  beds 
And  fragrance  in  thy  footing  treads; 

Thou  dost  preserve  the  stars  from  wrong; 

And  the  most  ancient  heavens,  through  Thee,  are  fresh  and 
strong. 9 ’ 


6 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JAN.  18. 


For  Him  Who 

Does  His  Best. 


“Laurel  crowns  cleave  to  deserts, 

And  power  to  him  who  power  exerts. 
Hast  not  thy  share?  On  winged  feet, 
Lo!  it  rushes  thee  to  meet; 

And  all  that  Nature  made  thy  own, 
Floating  in  air  or  pent  in  stone, 

Will  rive  the  hills  and  swim  the  sea, 
And,  like  thy  shadow,  follow  thee.” 


JAN.  19. 


Of  the  Only  Battle 

Worth  the  While. 

“Come,  join  in  the  only  battle 
Wherein  no  man  can  fail; 

Where  whoso  fall  and  dieth, 

Yet  his  deed  shall  still  prevail.” 


JAN.  20. 


Of  Living 

by  Law. 


‘ ‘ Self -reverence,  self-knowledge,  self-control, 

These  three  alone  lead  life  to  sovereign  power 

* * * to  live  by  law, 

Acting  the  law  we  live  by  without  fear; 

And,  because  right  is  right,  to  follow  right 
Were  wisdom  in  the  scorn  of  consequence.” 


JAN.  21. 


A Plea  for 

Steadfastness. 


“Some  of  thy  stern,  unyielding  might, 
Enduring  still  through  day  and  night, 

Rude  tempest-shock  and  withering  blight, — 
That  I may  keep  at  bay 
The  changeful  April  sky  of  chance 
And  the  strong  tide  of  circumstance, — 

Give  me,  old  granite  gray.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


7 


JAN.  22. 


Of  the  Pathway 

of  the  True  Self. 


“We  have  been  on  many  thousand  lines, 

And  we  have  shown,  on  each,  spirit  and  power, 

But  hardly  have  we,  for  one  little  hour, 

Been  on  our  own  line,  have  we  been  ourselves — 
Hardly  had  skill  to  utter  one  of  all 
The  nameless  feelings  that  course  through  our  breast, 
But  they  course  on  forever  unexpress1  d 


23.  Of  the  Significance 

of  Waiting. 

“I  stay  my  haste,  I make  delays, 

For  what  avails  this  eager  pace? 

I stand  amid  the  eternal  ways, 

And  what  is  mine  shall  know  my  face. 

The  waters  know  their  own  and  draw 

The  brook  that  springs  in  yonder  heights; 

So  flows  the  good  with  equal  law 
Into  the  soul  of  pure  delight. 

The  stars  come  nightly  to  the  sky; 

The  tidal  wave  unto  the  sea; 

Nor  time,  nor  space,  nor  deep,  nor  high, 

Can  keep  my  own  away  from  me.” 


JAN.  24. 


Of  the  Song: 

of  the  Spheres. 


“Away,  away,  through  the  wide,  wide  sky, 

The  fair  blue  fields  that  before  us  lie, — 

Each  sun  with  the  worlds  that  round  him  roll, 
Each  planet  poised  on  her  turning  pole; 

With  her  isles  of  green,  and  her  clouds  of  white, 
And  her  waters  that  lie  like  fluid  light, 

For  the  source  of  glory  uncovers  his  face, 

And  the  brightness  overflows  unbounded  space. 

Lo,  yonder  the  living  splendors  play; 

Away,  on  our  joyous  path,  away!” 


8 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


Of  the  Self-poised 
Soul. 


JAN.  25. 

“No  change  of  fortune’s  calms 
Can  cast  my  comforts  down; 

When  fortune  smiles,  I smile  to  think 
How  quickly  she  will  frown; 

And  when,  in  froward  mood, 

She  proved  an  angry  foe, 

Small  gain  I found  to  let  her  come, 

Less  loss  to  let  her  go.” 


«/»  Of  Being  Conscious 

* of  the  Current  Underneath. 

“In  the  world’s  most  crowded  streets, 

Often,  in  the  din  of  strife, 

There  rises  an  unspeakable  desire 
After  the  knowledge  of  our  buried  life, 

A thirst  to  spend  our  fire  and  restless  force 
In  tracking  out  our  true  original  course. 

A longing  to  inquire 

Into  the  mystery  of  this  heart  which  beats 
So  wild,  so  deep  in  us — to  know 
Whence  our  lives  come  and  where  they  go.” 


JAN  27  what  °ne  ^an 

Can  Do. 

“A  little  spring  had  lost  its  way  amid  the  grass  and  fern, 

A passing  stranger  scooped  a well,  where  weary  men  might 
turn; 

He  walled  it  in,  and  hung  with  care  a ladle  at  the  brink; 

He  thought  not  of  the  deed  he  did,  but  judged  that  toil 
might  drink. 

He  passed  again,  and  lo!  the  well,  by  summers  never  dried, 

Had  cooled  ten  thousand  parching  tongues,  and  saved  a 
life  beside.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


9 


JAN.  28, 


The  Value  of  What  Is 
Close  at  Hand. 


“Why  thus  longing,  thus  forever  sighing 
For  the  far-off,  unattained,  and  dim, 

While  the  beautiful,  all  round  thee  lying, 

Offers  up  its  low  perpetual  hymn! 

Wouldst  thou  listen  to  its  gentle  teaching 
All  thy  restless  yearnings  it  would  still, 

Leaf  and  flower  and  laden  bees  are  preaching 
Thine  own  sphere,  tho'  humble,  first  to  fill.  ^ ^ 


“The  past  was  goodly  once,  and  yet,  when  all  is  said, 
The  best  of  it  we  know  is  that  it's  done  and  dead. 
Dwindled  and  faded  quite,  perished  beyond  recall, 
Nothing  is  left  at  last  of  what  one  time  was  all. 

Duty  and  work  and  joy — these  things  it  cannot  give; 
And  the  present  is  life,  and  life  is  good  to  live. 

Let  it  lie  where  it  fell,  far  from  the  living  sun, 

The  past  that,  goodly  once,  is  gone  and  dead  and  done.” 


“Not  souls  severely  white, 

But  groping  for  more  light, 

Are  what  Eternal  Justice  here  demands. 

Fear  not:  He  made  thee  dust; 

Cling  to  that  sweet  word — ‘Just;' 

All's  well  with  thee  if  thou  art  in  just  hands.” 


JAN.  29, 


Of  “Duty  and  Work 
and  Joy.” 


JAN.  30 


Of  What  the  Eternal 
Exacts  of  Us. 


10 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JAN.  31. 


Of  What 

Comes  First 


“Wouldst  shape  a noble  life1?  Then  cast 
No  backward  glances  toward  the  past. 
And  though  somewhat  be  lost  and  gone, 

Yet  do  thou  act  as  one  new-born; 

What  each  day  needs,  that  shalt  thou  ask, 
Each  day  will  set  its  proper  task.” 


FEB.  1. 


Of  the  Vista 

of  Life. 

“That  care  and  trial  seem  at  last 
Through  Memory’s  sunset  air, 

Like  mountain-ranges  overpast, 

In  purple  distance  fair.” 


t ~ Of  the  Infinite 

>§  and  Universal. 

“Eternal  Truth!  beyond  our  hopes  and  fears 
Sweep  the  vast  orbits  of  thy  myriad  spheres! 

From  age  to  age,  while  History  carves  sublime 
On  her  waste  rock  the  flaming  curves  of  time, 

How  the  wild  swayings  of  our  planet  show 
That  worlds  unseen  surround  the  world  we  know ! 1 9 


FEB.  3. 


Of  Being 

a Man. 


“A  Creed  is  a rod 
And  a crown  is  of  night; 

But  this  thing  is  God : — 

To  be  man  with  thy  might, — 

To  grow  straight  in  the  strength  of  thy  spirit, 
And  live  out  thy  life  as  the  light.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


11 


FEB.  4. 


Of  the  Wealth 

of  the  Spirit 


“Turn,  Fortune,  turn  thy  wheel  and  lower  the  proud; 
Turn  thy  wild  wheel  thro’  sunshine,  storm  and  cloud; 
Thy  wheel  and  thee  we  neither  love  nor  hate. 

Turn,  Fortune,  turn  thy  wheel  with  smile  or  frown; 
With  thy  wild  wheel  we  go  not  up  or  down; 

Our  hoard  is  little  but  our  hearts  are  great.’ ’ 


^EB.  5^  Philosophy 

in  Verse 

“Speak  not  of  the  transient, 

Whatever  its  sphere; 

To  make  self  eternal, 

Is  our  task  here.” 


FEB.  6.  of  the  Game 

of  Life 

“The  Man,  who,  lifted  high, 

Conspicuous  object  in  a Nation’s  eye, 

Or  left  unthought  of  in  obscurity, — 

Who,  with  a toward  or  untoward  lot, 

Prosperous  or  adverse,  to  his  wish  or  not — 

Plays,  in  the  many  games  of  life,  that  one 
Where  what  he  most  doth  value  must  be  won — 
This  is  the  happy  Warrior,  this  is  he 
That  every  Man  in  arms  should  wish  to  be.” 


FEB.  7.  Of  the  Happiest  Heart 

That  Ever  Beat 

“Who  drives  the  horses  of  the  sun 
Shall  lord  it  but  a day; 

Better  the  lowly  deed  were  done, 

And  kept  the  humble  way. 

The  happiest  heart  that  ever  beat 

Was  in  some  quiet  breast 

That  found  the  common  daylight  sweet, 

And  left  to  Heaven  the  rest.” 


12 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


FEB.  8. 


Of  the  Scorn 

of  Doubt. 


“Not  in  most  ancient  Palestine, 

Nor  in  the  lightsome  air  of  Greece, 

Were  human  struggles  more  divine, 

More  blessed  with  guerdon  of  increase: 
Take  thou  thy  stand 
In  the  workers’  band. 

Hast  then  no  faith ! Thine  is  the  fault : — 
What  prophets,  heroes,  sages,  saints, 
Have  loved,  on  thee  still  makes  assault, 
Thee  with  immortal  things  acquaints. 

On  life  then  seize: 

Doubt  is  disease.” 


FEB.  9. 


Of  that 

Which  Survives. 


“Only  we  knew  that  something  bright 
Lingered  lovingly  where  we  stood, 
Clothed  with  the  incandescent  light 
Of  something  higher  than  humanhood. 
0 the  riches  Love  doth  inherit! 

Ah,  the  alchemy  which  doth  change 
Dross  of  body  and  dregs  of  spirit 
Into  sanctities  rare  and  strange!” 


FEB.  10. 


Of  the  Mission 
of  Love. 


“Learn,  by  a mortal  yearning,  to  ascend — 
Seeking  a higher  object.  Love  was  given, 
Encouraged,  sanctioned,  chiefly  for  that  end. 
For  this  the  passion  to  excess  was  driven — 
That  self  might  be  annulled : her  bondage  prove 
The  fetters  of  a dream,  opposed  to  love.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


13 


FEB.  11. 


Of  the  Privilege  of 
Having  a Soul. 


“Do  bird  and  blossom  feel,  like  me 
Life’s  many-folded  mystery, — 

The  wonder  which  it  is  To  Bel 
Or  stand  I severed  and  distinct, 

From  Nature’s  chain  of  life  unlinked'? 
Allied  to  all,  yet  not  the  less 
Prisoned  in  separate  consciousness, 
Alone  o;erburdened  with  a sense 
Of  life,  and  cause,  and  consequence!” 


“He’s  true  to  God  who’s  true  to  man; 
Wherever  wrong  is  done 
To  the  humblest  and  the  weakest, 

’Neath  the  all-beholding  sun, 

That  wrong  is  also  done  to  us; 

And  they  are  slaves  most  base, 

Whose  love  of  right  is  for  themselves, 
And  not  for  all  their  race.” 


“When  the  enemy  is  near  thee, 

Call  on  us! 

In  our  hands  we  will  upbear  thee, 

He  shall  neither  scathe  nor  scare  thee, 
He  shall  fly  thee,  and  shall  fear  thee. 
Call  on  us! 

Oh,  and  if  thou  dost  not  call, 

Be  thou  faithful,  that  is  all. 

Go  right  on,  and  close  behind  thee 
There  shall  follow  still  and  find  thee, 
Help,  sure  help.” 


FEB.  12. 


Of  Him  Who  Loves 

and  Serves  a Cause. 


FEB.  13. 


lOf  Sure  Help  for  Those 
Who  Are  Faithful. 


14 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


FEB.  14. 


Of  the  Sum  of 
All  Goodness. 


“Love  thyself  last:  cherish  those  hearts  that  hate  thee: 
Corruption  wins  not  more  than  honesty. 

Still  in  thy  right  hand  carry  gentle  peace, 

To  silence  envious  tongues.  Be  just,  and  fear  not: 

Let  all  the  ends  thou  aim’st  at  be  thy  country’s 
Thy  God’s  and  truth’s;  then  if  thou  fall’st, 

Thou  fall’st  a blessed  martyr.” 


FEB.  15. 


When  Skies  and 

Earth  Shall  Meet. 


“It  is  a vision  waiting  and  aware; 

And  you  must  draw  it  down,  0 men  of  worth — 
Draw  down  the  new  Republic  held  in  air, 

And  make  for  it  foundations  on  the  Earth.” 


FEB.  16. 


Of  the  Seasons 
of  Life. 


“Turn,  turn,  my  wheel!  ’Tis  nature’s  plan 
The  child  should  grow  into  the  man, 

The  man  grow  wrinkled,  old,  and  gray; 

In  youth  the  heart  exults  and  sings, 

The  pulses  leap,  the  feet  have  wings; 

In  age  the  cricket  chirps,  and  brings 
The  harvest-home  of  day.” 


FEB.  17. 


Of  the  Self-Poised 
Stars. 


“And  with  joy  the  stars  perform  their  shining, 
And  the  sea  its  long  moon-silvered  roll; 

For  self-poised  they  live,  nor  pine  with  noting 
All  the  fever  of  some  differing  soul. 

Bounded  by  themselves,  and  unregardful 
In  wrhat  state  God’s  other  works  may  be, 

In  their  own  tasks  all  their  powers  pouring, 
These  attain  the  mighty  life  you  see.  ’ ’ 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


15 


pjjg  ^g  Of  Him  Who 

Possesses  Every  Thing. 

“Who  hath  his  life  from  rumors  freed, 

Whose  conscience  is  his  strong  retreat; 

Whose  state  can  neither  flatterers  feed, 

Nor  ruin  make  oppressors  great; 

This  man  is  freed  from  servile  bands, 

Of  hope  to  rise,  or  fear  to  fall; 

Lord  of  himself,  tho’  not  of  lands; 

And  having  nothing,  yet  hath  all.  ” 


FEB.  19.  Of  Living 

to  One  End. 

“And  I moved  it  then  and  there, 

Vowed  all  half  ness  to  forswear, 

In  the  whole,  the  good,  the  fair, 

Resolutely  living.” 


FEB.  20.  of  Trust  in  the 

Outcome. 

“ ’Tis  weary  watching  wave  by  wave, 

And  yet  the  tide  heaves  onward; 

We  climb  like  corals,  grave  by  grave 
That  pave  a pathway  sunward. 

We’re  driven  back  in  many  a fray, 

Yet  never  strength  we  borrow, 

And  where  the  vanguard  camps  to-day, 

The  rear  shall  rest  to-morrow.” 


FEB.  21.  of  Keeping  to 

the  Pathway. 

“Follow  you  the  Star  that  lights  a desert  pathway,  yours  or 
mine. 

Forward,  till  you  see  the  highest  Human  Nature  is  divine. 

Follow  light,  and  do  the  Right — for  man  can  half -control 
his  doom — 

Till  you  find  the  deathless  angel  seated  in  the  vacant 
tomb. 9 9 


16 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


FEB.  22, 


Of  the  True  Man’s 
Fatherland. 


“0  yes!  his  fatherland  must  be 

As  the  blue  heaven  wide  and  free! 
Where’er  a human  heart  doth  wear 
Joy’s  myrtle- wreath  or  sorrow’s  gyves, 
Where’er  a human  spirit  strives 
After  a life  more  true  and  fair, 
There  is  the  true  man’s  birthplace  grand, 
His  is  a world-wide  fatherland.” 


“Nothing  fails  of  its  end. 

Out  of  sight  sinks  the  stone, 
In  the  deep  sea  of  time, 

But  the  circles  sweep  on, 

Till  the  low-rippled  murmurs 
Along  the  shores  run, 

And  the  dark  and  dead  waters 
Leap  glad  in  the  sun.” 


“I  may  not  to  the  world  impart 
The  secret  of  its  power, 

But  treasured  in  my  inmost  heart, 

I keep  my  faded  flower. 

Where  is  the  heart  that  doth  not  keep, 
Within  its  inmost  core, 

Some  fond  remembrance,  hidden  deep, 

Of  days  that  are  no  more? 

Who  hath  not  saved  some  trifling  thing 
More  prized  than  jewels  rare — 

A faded  flower,  a broken  ring, 

A tress  of  golden  hair?” 


FEB.  23. 


Of  the  Influence 

of  a Single  Act. 


FEB.  24. 


Of  the  Memories 

that  Cling 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


17 


A Prayer  of  Love 

• and  Submission. 

“ Teach  me  to  feel  another’s  woe, 

To  hide  the  fault  I see; 

That  mercy  I to  others  show, 

That  mercy  show  to  me. 

If  I am  right,  thy  grace  impart, 

Still  in  the  right  to  stay; 

If  I am  wrong,  0 teach  my  heart 
To  find  that  better  way. 

This  day,  be  bread  and  peace  my  lot; 

All  else  beneath  the  sun, 

Thou  know’st  if  best  bestow’d  or  not, 

And  let  thy  will  be  done.” 


Of  the 

True  Lent. 

“Is  this  a fast  to  keep 
The  larder  lean, 

And  clean 

From  fat  of  veals  and  sheep'? 

No:  ’tis  a fast  to  dole 
Thy  sheaf  of  wheat, 

And  meat, 

Unto  the  hungry  soul.” 


Of  the  Web 

of  Human  Destiny. 

“Like  warp  and  woof  all  destinies 
Are  woven  fast, 

Linked  in  sympathy  like  the  keys 
Of  an  organ  vast. 

Pluck  one  thread,  and  the  web  ye  mar; 

Break  but  one 

Of  a thousand  keys,  and  the  paining  jar 
Through  all  will  run.” 


FEB.  26. 


FEB.  27. 


18 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


FEB.  28. 


Of  What  the 

Mystic  Sees 


“Have  I knowledge1?  counfounded  it  shrivels  at  Wisdom  laid 
bare. 

Have  I forethought1?  how  purblind;  how  blank,  to  the  In- 
finite Care! 

Do  I task  any  faculty  highest,  to  image  success1? 

I but  open  my  eyes, — and  perfection,  no  more  and  no  less, 

In  the  kind  I imagined,  full-fronts  me,  and  God  is  seen  God 

In  the  star,  in  the  stone,  in  the  flesh,  in  the  soul  and  the 
clod.” 


FEB.  29. 


A Creed  for 

Young  and  Old. 

“Courage,  ne’er  by  sorrow  broken! 

Aid  where  tears  of  virtue  flow; 

Faith  to  keep  each  promise  spoken; 

Truth  alike  to  friend  and  foe! 

’Fore  kings’  thrones  a manly  spirit! 

Brothers,  noble  is  the  prize! 

Honour  due  to  ev’ry  merit! 

Death  to  all  the  brood  of  lies!” 


MARCH  1.  of  What 

Is  Overhead. 

“Ay!  gloriously  thou  standest  there, 

Beautiful,  boundless  firmament! 

That,  swelling  wide  o’er  earth  and  air, 

And  round  the  horizon  bent, 

With  thy  bright  vault,  and  sapphire  wall, 

Dost  overhang  and  circle  all. 

0,  when  amid  the  throng  of  men, 

The  heart  grows  sick  of  hollow  mirth, 

How  willingly  we  turn  us  then 
Away  from  this  cold  earth, 

And  look  into  thy  azure  breast, 

For  seats  of  innocence  and  rest!” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


19 


MARCH  2. 


Of  the  Race 

Where  All  Must  Run. 


“To  them  was  life  a simple  art 
Of  duties  to  be  done, 

A game  where  each  man  took  his  part, 
A race  where  all  must  run; 

A battle  whose  great  scheme  and  scope 
They  little  cared  to  know, 

Content,  as  men-at-arms,  to  cope 
Each  with  his  fronting  foe.” 


MARCH  3. 


Of  the  Vision 

of  Evangeline. 


“As  from  the  mountain’s  top  the  rainy  mists  of  the  morn- 
ing 

Roll  away,  and  afar  we  behold  the  landscape  below  us, 

Sun-illumined,  with  shining  rivers  and  cities  and  hamlets, 

So  fell  the  mists  from  her  mind,  and  she  saw  the  world  far 
below  her, 

Dark  no  longer,  but  all  illumined  with  love;  and  the  path- 
way 

Which  she  had  climbed  so  far,  lying  smooth  and  fair  in 
the  distance. 

Patience  and  abnegation  of  self , and  devotion  to  others , 

This  was  the  lesson  a life  of  trial  and  sorrow  had  taught 
her. ’ 9 

f 


MARCH  4. 


Of  the  “Three 

Firm  Friends.’’ 


“Greatness  and  goodness  are  not  means,  but  ends. 

Hath  he  not  always  treasures,  always  friends, 

A good,  great  man?  Three  treasures, — love,  and  light, 
And  calm  thoughts,  equable  as  infant’s  breath; 

And  three  firm  friends,  more  sure  than  day  or  night, — 
Himself,  his  Maker,  and  the  Angel  Death.” 


20 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MARCH  5.  For  Him  Who  Will 

Make  the  Effort. 

“The  star  of  the  unconquered  will, 

It  rises  in  my  breast, 

Serene,  and  resolute,  and  still, 

And  calm,  and  self-possessed. 

0,  fear  not  in  a world  like  this, 

And  thou  shalt  know  ere  long, 

Know  how  sublime  a thing  it  is 
To  suffer  and  be  strong. ’ ’ 


MARCH  6.  of  the  wm 

to  Do  and  Dare. 

“So  nigh  is  grandeur  to  our  dust, 

So  near  to  God  is  man, 

When  Duty  whispers  low,  Thou  must, 

The  youth  replies,  I can.” 


MARCH  7.  Of  the  “Shaft 

of  Light.” 

“Ah!  when  shall  all  men’s  good 
Be  each  man’s  rule,  and  universal  Peace 
Lie  like  a shaft  of  light  across  the  land, 

And  like  a lane  of  beams  athwart  the  sea, 

Through  all  the  circle  of  the  golden  year1?” 


MARCH  8.  ofthe 

Resurrection. 

“Sit  if  ye  will,  sit  down  upon  the  ground, 

Yet  not  to  weep  and  wail,  but  calmly  look  around. 
Whatever  befell, 

Earth  is  not  hell; 

Now,  too,  as  when  it  first  began, 

Life  is  yet  life,  and  man  is  man. 

For  all  that  breathe  beneath  the  heaven’s  high  cope, 
Joy  with  grief  mixes,  with  despondence  hope. 

Hope  conquers  cowardice,  joy  grief: 

Or  at  least,  faith  unbelief.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


21 


MARCH  9. 


Of  One  Kind 

of  Immortality. 


“To  have  struck  one  blow  for  truth 
In  the  daily  fight  with  lies; 

To  have  done  one  deed  of  right 
In  the  face  of  calumnies, 

To  have  sown  in  the  souls  of  men 
One  thought  that  will  not  die — 

To  have  been  a link  in  the  chain  of  life; — 
Shall  be  immortality.  ’ ’ 


MARCH  10.  of  the  Man 

We  All  Love, 

“Walking  his  round  of  duty 
Serenely  day  by  day, 

With  the  strong  man’s  hand  of  labor 
And  childhood’s  heart  of  play.” 


MARCH  11.  of  the 

True  Surrender. 

“And  thus  looking  within  and  around  me,  I ever  renew — 
With  that  stoop  of  the  soul  which  in  bending  upraises  it 
too — 

The  submission  of  man’s  nothing-perfect  to  God’s  all- 
complete, 

As  by  each  new  obeisance  in  spirit,  I climb  to  his  feet!” 


MARCH  12.  For  Him 

Who  Sorrows. 

“Tho  at  times  impetuous  with  emotion 
And  anguish  long  suppressed, 

The  swelling  heart  heaves  moaning  like  the  ocean, 
That  cannot  be  at  rest, — 

We  will  be  patient,  and  assuage  the  feeling 
We  may  not  wholly  stay; 

By  silence  sanctifying,  not  concealing, 

The  grief  that  must  have  way.” 


22 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MARCH  13. 


Of  Him 

Who  Persists. 


“For  myself  alone  I doubt; 

All  is  well,  I know,  without; 

I alone  the  beauty  mar, 

I alone  the  music  jar. 

Yet,  with  hands  by  evil  stained, 

And  an  ear  by  discord  pained, 

I am  groping  for  the  keys 
Of  the  heavenly  harmonies; 

Still  within  my  heart  I bear 
Love  for  all  things  good  and  fair.” 


MARCH  14. 


Of  the  Symbols 

of  the  Soul. 


“How  does  the  Meadow-flower  its  bloom  unfold? 
Because  the  lovely  little  flower  is  free 
Down  to  its  root,  and,  in  that  freedom,  bold; 

And  so  the  grandeur  of  the  Forest-tree 
Comes  not  by  casting  in  a formal  mould, 

But  from  its  own  vitality.  ” 


MARCH  15. 


Of  the  Silent 

Heroes. 


“Within  this  lowly  grave  a conqueror  lies, 

And  yet  the  monument  proclaims  it  not, 

Nor  round  the  sleeper’s  name  hath  chisel  wrought 
The  emblems  of  a fame  that  never  dies, 

A simple  name  alone, 

To  the  great  world  unknown, 

Is  graven  here,  and  wild  flowers,  rising  round, 
Meek  meadow-sweet  and  violets  of  the  ground, 
Lean  lovingly  against  the  humble  stone.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


23 


MARCH  16.  Of  Empire 

Universal. 

“Till  each  man  find  his  own  in  all  men’s  good, 

And  all  men  work  in  noble  brotherhood, 

Breaking  their  mailed  fleets  and  armed  towers, 

And  ruling  by  obeying  Nature’s  powers, 

And  gathering  all  the  fruits  of  earth  and  crown’d  with  all 
her  flowers.” 


MARCH  17.  of  the  “Good 

Oldj  Times. 

“Idly  as  thou,  in  that  old  day 

Thou  mournest,  did  thy  sire  repine; 

So,  in  his  time,  thy  child  grown  gray 
Shall  sigh  for  thine. 

But  life  shall  on  and  upward  go; 

Th’  eternal  step  of  Progress  beats 
To  that  great  anthem,  calm  and  slow, 

Which  God  repeats.” 


MARCH  18. 


Of  the  Inmost  Center 
in  Us  All. 


“The  lore  you  praise  and  I neglect, 

The  labors  and  the  precepts  of  old  times, 

I have  not  slightly  disesteemed.  But,  friends, 
Truth  is  within  ourselves;  it  takes  no  rise 
From  outward  things,  whate’er  you  may  believe; 
There  is  an  inmost  center  in  us  all, 

Where  truth  abides  in  fulness.  ’ ’ 


MARCH  19. 


Of  the  Resurrection 
of  the  Dead. 


“But  strew  his  ashes  to  the  wind, 

Whose  sword  or  voice  has  served  mankind, 
And  is  he  dead,  whose  glorious  mind 
Lifts  thine  on  high? 

To  live  in  hearts  we  leave  behind 
Is  not  to  die.” 


24 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MARCH  20. 


Of  the  Judge 

and  His  Judgment. 


“Him  only,  pleasure  leads,  and  peace  attends, 
Him,  only  him,  the  shield  of  Jove  defends, 
Whose  means  are  fair  and  spotless  as  his  ends.  ’ ’ 


MARCH  21. 


Of  the 

Dreamer’s  Vision. 


“For  I dipt  into  the  future,  far  as  human  eye  could  see, 
Saw  the  vision  of  the  world,  and  all  the  wonders  that 
would  be, 

When  the  war-drum  throbb'd  no  longer,  and  the  battle- 
flags  were  furl'd 

In  the  Parliament  of  man,  the  Federation  of  the  world." 


MARCH  22.  of  the  Hours 

of  Yearning. 

“Ah,  when,  within  our  narrow  chamber 
The  lamp  with  friendly  lustre  glows, 

Flames  in  the  breast  each  faded  ember, 

And  in  the  heart,  itself  that  knows. 

Then  hope  again  lends  sweet  assistance, 

And  reason  then  resumes  her  speech: 

One  yearns,  the  rivers  of  existence, 

The  very  founts  of  Life,  to  reach." 


MARCH  23. 


An  Inspiration  for  Those 
Who  Know  What  it  is  to  Love. 


— “May  I reach 

That  purest  heaven,  be  to  other  souls 
The  cup  of  strength  in  some  great  agony 
Enkindle  generous  ardor,  feed  pure  love, 
Beget  the  smiles  that  have  no  cruelty — 

Be  the  sweet  presence  of  a good  diffused, 
And  in  diffusion  ever  more  intense, 

So  shall  I join  the  choir  invisible 

Whose  music  is  the  gladness  of  the  world." 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


25 


MARCH  24. 


Of  the  Reality  That  is  Better 
Than  Illusions. 


“I  woke  to  find  the  simple  truth 
Of  fact  and  feeling  better 
Than  all  the  dreams  that  held  my  youth 
A still  repining  debtor.’ ’ 


MARCH  25. 


Of  the  Whole  Duty 
of  Man. 


“ Think  truly  and  thy  thoughts 
Shall  the  world’s  famine  feed; 

Speak  truly,  and  each  word  of  thine 
Shall  be  a fruitful  seed: 

Live  truly,  and  thy  life  shall  be 
A great  and  noble  creed.” 


For  Him  Who 

Would  Keep  Moving. 

“Rest  is  not  quitting 
The  busy  career; 

Rest  is  the  fitting 
Of  self  to  its  sphere. 

’Tis  loving  and  serving 
The  highest  and  best; 

’Tis  onward ! unswerving, — 

And  that  is  true  rest.” 


Of  the  Abodes 

of  Peace. 

“If  solid  happiness  we  prize 

Within  ourselves  this  jewel  lies, 

And  they  are  fools  who  roam; 

The  world  has  nothing  to  bestow, 

From  ourselves  our  joys  must  flow, 

And  that  dear  hut,  our  home.” 


MARCH  26. 


MARCH  27. 


26 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MARCH  28. 


Of  the 

Final  Truth. 


“I  have  gone  the  whole  round  of  creation:  I saw  and  I 
spoke : 

I,  a work  of  God’s  hand  for  that  purpose,  received  in  my 
brain 

And  pronounced  on  the  rest  of  his  handiwork — returned 
him  again 

His  creation ’s  approval  or  censure : I spoke  as  I saw : 

I report,  as  a man  may  of  God’s  work — all’s  love,  yet  all’s 
law.  ’ ’ 


MARCH  29. 


Of  the  Way 

to  Climb. 


“We  need  not  bid,  for  cloistered  cell, 
Our  neighbor  and  our  work  farewell, 
Nor  strive  to  wind  ourselves  too  high 
For  sinful  man  beneath  the  sky. 

The  trivial  round,  the  common  task, 
Will  furnish  all  we  ought  to  ask; 
Room  to  deny  ourselves;  a road 
To  bring  us,  daily,  nearer  God.” 


MARCH  30. 


Of  Art 

At  its  Best. 


“That  kind  one  ne’er  forget  who,  as  in  sport 
Thy  youth  to  noble  aspirations  train’d, 

And  who  to  thee  in  easy  riddles  taught 

The  secret  how  each  virtue  might  be  gain’d; 

In  Industry,  the  Bee  the  palm  may  bear; 

In  Skill,  the  Worm  a lesson  may  impart; 

With  Spirits,  blest,  thy  Knowledge  thou  dost  share; 
But  thou,  0 man,  alone  hast  Art\’J 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


27 


MARCH  31. 


Of  the  Reasons  Why 
Some  Men  Do  Not  Stumble. 


“ There  are  in  this  loud,  stunning  tide 
Of  human  care  and  crime, 

With  whom  the  melodies  abide 
Of  the  everlasting  chime; 

Who  carry  music  in  their  heart 
Through  dusky  lane  and  wrangling  mart, 

Plying  their  daily  task  with  busier  feet 
Because  their  secret  souls  a holy  strain  repeat.” 


APRIL  1. 


Of  the 

Everlasting  Spring. 


“Spring  still  makes  spring  in  the  mind, 
When  sixty  years  are  told ; 

Love  awakes  anew  this  throbbing  heart, 
And  we  are  never  old. 

Over  the  winter  glaciers, 

I see  the  summer  glow, 

And  through  the  wild-piled  snowdrift, 
The  warm  rosebuds  below.  ’ ’ 


APRIL  2. 


Of  Success 

That  is  Sure. 


“What  is  it,  that  the  crowd  requite 
Thy  love  with  hate,  thy  truth  with  lies? 
And  but  to  faith,  and  not  to  sight, 

The  walls  of  Freedom’s  temple  rise? 

Yet  do  thy  work;  it  shall  succeed 
In  thine  or  in  another’s  day; 

And,  if  denied  the  victor’s  meed, 

Thou  shalt  not  lack  the  toiler’s  pay.” 


28 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


APEIL  3.  of  the 

True  Progress. 

“ Build  thee  more  stately  mansions,  0 my  soul, 

As  the  swift  seasons  roll! 

Leave  thy  low-vaulted  past! 

Let  each  new  temple,  nobler  than  the  last, 

Shut  thee  from  heaven  with  a dome  more  vast, 

Till  thou  at  length  art  free, 

Leaving  thine  outgrown ' shell  by  life’s  unresting  sea!” 


APRIL  4. 


Of  What  Evangeline 
Had  Learnt. 


“Talk  not  of  wasted  affection,  affection  never  was  wasted; 

If  it  enrich  not  the  heart  of  another,  its  waters,  returning 

Back  to  their  springs,  like  the  rain,  shall  fill  them  full  of 
refreshment ; 

That  which  the  fountain  sends  forth  returns  again  to  the 
fountain. 

Patience;  accomplish  thy  labor;  accomplish  thy  work  of 
affection ! 

Sorrow  and  silence  are  strong , and  patient  endurance  is 
godlike.  9 9 


APRIL  5. 


Of  the  Thing 

That  Makes  Us  Men. 


“But  here  is  the  finger  of  God,  a flash  of  the  will  that  can, 
Existent  behind  all  laws,  that  made  them,  and,  lo  they 
are ! 

I know  not  if,  save  in  this,  such  gift  be  allowed  to  man, 
That  out  of  three  sounds  he  frame,  not  a fourth  sound, 
but  a star. 

Consider  it  well;  each  tone  of  our  scale  in  itself  is  naught; 
It  is  everywhere  in  the  world, — loud,  soft,  and  all  is 
said : 

Give  it  to  me  to  use ! I mix  it  with  two  in  my  thought ; 
And  there!  Ye  have  heard  and  seen:  Consider  and  bow 
the  head.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


29 


APRIL  6. 


Of  What  Gives  Glory 

to  Star  and|Blossom 


“Yet  these  sweet  sounds  of  the  early  season 
And  these  fair  sights  of  its  sunny  days 
Are  only  sweet  when  we  fondly  listen 
And  only  fair  when  we  fondly  gaze. 

There  is  no  glory  in  star  or  blossom 
Till  looked  upon  by  a loving  eye; 

There  is  no  fragrance  in  April  breezes 

Till  breathed  with  joy  as  they  wander  by.” 


A Sigh  for  a Lull 

In  the  Storm. 

“Touch  us  gently,  Time! 

We’ve  not  proud  nor  soaring  wings; 

Our  ambition,  our  content, 

Lies  in  simple  things. 

Humble  voyagers  are  we, 

O’er  life’s  dim,  unsounded  sea, 

Seeking  only  some  calm  clime; — 

Touch  us  gently,  gentle  Time!” 


Of  Him  Who  Sees 
At  First  Hand. 

“The  clouded  hill  attend  thou  still, 

And  him  that  went  within. 

He  yet  shall  bring  some  worthy  thing 
For  waiting  souls  to  see : 

Some  sacred  word  that  he  has  heard 
Their  light  and  life  shall  be; 

Some  lofty  part,  than  which  the  heart 
Adopt  no  nobler  can, 

Thou  shalt  receive,  thou  shalt  believe 
And  thou  shalt  do,  0 Man!” 


APRIL  7. 


APRIL  8. 


30 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


APRIL  9. 


Of  Rest  from 

the  City’s  Jar. 


“Calm  soul  of  all  things!  make  it  mine 
To  feel,  amid  the  city's  jar, 

That  there  abides  a peace  of  thine, 

Man  did  not  make,  and  cannot  mar. 

The  will  to  neither  strive  nor  cry, 

The  power  to  feel  with  others,  give! 
Calm,  calm  me  more!  nor  let  me  die 
Before  I have  begun  to  live." 


APRIL  10. 


Of  the  Passion 

for  Labor. 


“Droop  not,  tho'  shame,  sin,  and  anguish  are  round  thee, 
Bravely  fling  off  the  old  chain  that  hath  bound  thee! 
Look  to  yon  pure  heaven  smiling  beyond  thee; 

Rest  not  content,  in  thy  darkness, — a clod! 

Work  for  some  good,  be  it  ever  so  slowly; 

Cherish  some  flower,  be  it  ever  so  lowly; 

Labor! — all  labor  is  noble  and  holy; 

Let  thy  great  deed  be  thy  prayer  to  thy  God." 


APRIL  11. 


For  Him  Who 

Appreciates  Spring  Time. 


“I  mourn  no  more  my  vanished  years: 
Beneath  a tender  rain, 

An  April  rain  of  smiles  and  tears, 

My  heart  is  young  again. 

The  west  winds  blow,  and,  singing  low, 
I hear  the  glad  streams  run; 

The  windows  of  my  soul  I throw 
Wide  open  to  the  sun. 

No  longer  forward  nor  behind 
I look  in  hope  or  fear; 

But  grateful,  take  the  good  I find, 

The  best  of  now  and  here." 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


31 


APRIL  12. 


Of  Life’s 

Building  Blocks. 


“Nothing  useless  is,  or  low; 

Each  thing  in  its  place  is  best; 

And  what  seems  but  idle  show 

Strengthens  and  supports  the  rest. 
[For  the  structure  that  we  raise, 

Time  is  with  materials  filled; 

Our  to-days  and  yesterdays 

Are  the  blocks  with  which  we  build.” 


APRIL  13. 


Of  the  Mixture 

of  Good  and  Evil. 


“Therefore  to  whom  turn  I but  to  Thee,  the  ineffable  Name? 

Builder  and  maker,  Thou,  of  houses  not  made  with  hands! 

What,  have  fear  of  change  from  Thee,  who  art  ever  the 
same? 

Doubt  that  Thy  power  can  fill  the  heart  that  Thy  power 
expands? 

There  shall  never  be  one  lost  good!  What  was,  shall  live 
as  before; 

The  evil  is  null,  is  naught,  is  silence  implying  sound  ; 

What  was  good,  shall  be  good,  with,  for  evil,  so  much  good 
more; 

On  the  earth  the  broken  arcs;  in  the  heaven,  a perfect 
round.  ’ 1 


APRIL  14. 


Of  the  Temple 

Not  Made  With  Hands. 


“In  the  elder  days  of  Art, 

Builders  wrought  with  greatest  care 
Each  minute  and  unseen  part; 

For  the  Gods  see  everywhere. 

Let  us  do  our  work  as  well, 

Both  the  unseen  and  the  seen; 

Make  the  house,  where  Gods  may  dwell, 
Beautiful,  entire,  and  clean.” 


32 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


APRIL  15. 


Of  the  Handwriting 
on  the  Soul. 


“In  every  heart  some  viewless  founts  are  fed 
From  far-off  hillsides  where  the  dews  were  shed; 
On  the  worn  features  of  the  weariest  face 
Some  youthful  memory  leaves  its  hidden  trace.’ ’ 


APRIL  16. 


Of  Our  Regard 

for  the  Dead. 


“My  thoughts  are  with  the  dead;  with  them 
I live  in  their  past  years, 

Their  virtues  love,  their  faults  condemn, 
Partake  their  hopes  and  fears, 

And  from  their  lessons  seek  and  find 
Instruction  with  a humble  mind.” 


APRIL  17. 


Of  Earning 

One’s  Living. 


6 1 Toiling, — rejoicing, — sorrowing, 
Onward  through  life  he  goes; 

Each  morning  sees  some  task  begin, 
Each  evening  sees  it  close; 
Something  attempted,  something  done, 
Has  earned  a night’s  repose.” 


APRIL  18. 


Of  the  Time 

of  Awakening. 


“Some  silent  laws  our  hearts  will  make, 
Which  they  shall  long  obey: 

We  for  the  year  to  come  may  take 
Our  temper  from  to-day. 

And  from  the  blessed  power  that  rolls 
About,  below,  above, 

We’ll  frame  the  measure  of  our  souls: 
They  shall  be  tuned  to  love.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


33 


APRIL  19. 


Of  Something  Better 
Than  Coronets. 


“Howe’er  it  be,  it  seems  to  me, 

’Tis  only  noble  to  be  good. 

Kind  hearts  are  more  than  coronets, 

And  simple  faith  than  Norman  blood.” 


APRIL  20. 


Of  Being 

A King. 


“Content  I live;  this  is  my  stay, — 

I seek  no  more  than  may  suffice. 

I press  to  bear  no  haughty  sway; 

Look,  what  I lack  my  mind  supplies. 

Lo ! thus  I triumph  like  a king, 

Content  with  what  my  mind  doth  bring.” 


APRIL  21. 


If  One  Would 

Only  Try. 


“In  the  world’s  broad  field  of  battle, 
In  the  bivouac  of  Life, 

Be  not  like  dumb,  driven  cattle! 

Be  a hero  in  the  strife! 

Lives  of  great  men  all  remind  us 
We  can  make  our  lives  sublime, 
And,  departing,  leave  behind  us 
Footprints  on  the  sands  of  time.” 


APRIL  22. 


Of  Being 

Receptive 


“Sweet  is  the  lore  which  Nature  brings; 

Our  meddling  intellect 

Mis-shapes  the  beauteous  form  of  things: — 
We  murder  to  dissect. 

Enough  of  Science  and  of  Art; 

Close  up  those  barren  leaves; 

Come  forth,  and  bring  with  you  a heart 
That  watches  and  receives.” 


34 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


APRIL  23. 


Where  All  Shall 

Meet  in  One. 


“Silent  rushes  the  swift  Lord 
Through  ruined  systems  still  restored, 
Broadsowing,  bleak  and  void  to  bless, 
Plants  with  worlds  the  wilderness; 
Waters  with  tears  of  ancient  sorrow 
Apples  of  Eden  ripe  to-morrow. 

House  and  tenant  go  to  ground, 

Lost  in  God,  in  Godhead  found.” 


APRIL  24. 


Of  the  Dimensions 
of  Life. 


“It  is  not  growing  like  a tree 
In  bulk,  doth  make  men  better  be; 

Or  standing  long  an  oak,  three  hundred  year, 
To  fall  a log  at  last,  dry,  bald  and  sere : 

A lily  of  a day 
Is  fairer  far  in  May, 

Altho  it  fall  and  die  that  night, — 

It  was  the  plant  and  flower  of  Light. 

In  small  proportions  we  just  beauties  see; 
And  in  short  measures  life  may  perfect  be.” 


APRIL  25. 


Of  “ Spinning 

on  Forever.” 


“0,  I see  the  crescent  promise  of  my  spirit  hath  not  set. 
Ancient  founts  of  inspiration  well  thro’  all  my  fancy  yet. 
Not  in  vain  the  distance  beacons.  Forward,  forward,  let 
us  range. 

Let  the  great  world  spin  forever  down  the  ringing  grooves 
of  change.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


35 


APRIL  26, 


Of  Nature 

to  the  Naturalist. 


“And  Nature,  the  old  nurse,  took 
The  child  upon  her  knee, 

Saying:  ‘Here  is  a story-book 
Thy  Father  has  written  for  thee/ 
And  he  wandered  away  and  away 
With  Nature,  the  dear  old  nurse, 
Who  sang  to  him  night  and  day 
The  rhymes  of  the  universe. 
‘Come,  wander  with  me/  she  said, 
‘Into  regions  yet  untrod; 

And  read  what  is  still  unread 
In  the  manuscripts  of  God/  ” 


“But  all,  the  world’s  coarse  thumb 
And  finger  failed  to  plumb, 

So  passed  in  making  up  the  main  account; 

All  instincts  immature, 

All  purposes  unsure, 

That  weighed  not  as  his  work,  yet  swelled  the  man’s  ac- 
count : 

All  I could  never  be, 

All  men  ignored  in  me, 

This  I was  worth  to  God,  whose  wheel  the  pitcher  shaped.” 


“I,  too,  am  weak,  and  faith  is  small, 

And  blindness  happeneth  unto  all. 

Yet,  sometimes  glimpses  on  my  sight, 
Through  present  wrong,  the  eternal  right; 
And  step,  by  step,  since  time  began, 

I see  the  steady  gain  of  man.” 


APRIL  27, 


Df  the  Way 

the  Eternal  Sees, 


APEIL  28. 


Of  the  Present  Wrong 

and  the  Eternal  Right. 


36 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


APRIL  29.  For  Him  Who  Knows 

How  to  Listen. 

“ Think  you,  ’mid  all  this  mighty  sum 
Of  things  forever  speaking, 

That  nothing  of  itself  will  come, 

But  we  must  still  be  seeking? 

One  impulse  from  a vernal  wood 
May  teach  you  more  of  man, 

Of  moral  evil  and  of  good, 

Than  all  the  sages  can.” 


APRIL  30.  Of  the  Love 

of  the  Beautiful. 

“Rhodora!  if  the  sages  ask  thee  why 
This  charm  is  wasted  on  the  earth  and  sky, 

Tell  them,  dear,  that  if  eyes  were  made  for  seeing, 
Then  Beauty  is  its  own  excuse  for  being.” 


MAY  1.  Of  WhatTEach  Day 

Can  Give. 

“Not  by  deeds  that  gain  the  world’s  applauses, 

Not  by  works  that  win  thee  world  renown, 

Not  by  martyrdom  or  vaunted  crosses, 

Canst  thou  win  and  wear  the  immortal  crown. 

Daily  struggling,  tho  unloved  and  lonely, 

Every  day  a rich  reward  will  give; 

Thou  wilt  find  by  hearty  striving  only, 

And  truly  loving,  thou  canst  truly  live.” 


MAY  2.  Of  the  Meaning 

of  Freedom. 

“Is  true  freedom  but  to  break 
Fetters  for  our  own  dear  sake, 

And  with  leathern  hearts  forget 
That  we  owe  mankind  a debt? 

No,  true  freedom  is  to  share 
All  the  chains  our  brothers  wear, 

And  with  heart  and  hand  to  be 
Earnest  to  make  others  free.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


37 


MAY 


MAY 


MAY 


MAY 


2 Of  the  Phantoms 

of  the  Good. 

“Ever  their  phantoms  rise  before  us, 

Our  loftier  brothers,  but  one  in  blood. 

By  bed  and  table  they  lord  it  o’er  us, 

With  looks  of  beauty  and  words  of  good.” 


Of  the 

*•  Sainted  Living. 

“And  on  that  cheek  and  o’er  that  brow, 

So  soft,  so  calm,  yet  eloquent, 

The  smiles  that  win,  the  tints  that  glow, 

But  tell  of  days  in  goodness  spent, 

A mind  at  peace  with  all  below, 

A heart  whose  love  is  innocent ! ’ ’ 


5.  Of  What  Should 

Come  of  Longing. 

‘ i The  thing  we  long  for,  that  we  are 
For  one  transcendent  moment, 

Before  the  Present  poor  and  bare 
Can  make  its  sneering  comment. 

Still,  through  our  paltry  stir  and  strife 
Glows  down  the  wished  Ideal, 

And  Longing  moulds  in  clay  what  Life 
Carves  in  the  marble  Real.” 


Of  Him  Who  Has 

Wholesome  Wisdom. 

Slave  to  no  sect,  who  takes  no  private  road, 

But  looks  through  nature,  up  to  nature’s  God; 
Pursues  that  chain  which  links  the  immense  design, 
Joins  heaven  and  earth,  and  mortal  and  divine; 

Sees  that  no  being  any  bliss  can  know, 

But  touches  some  above,  and  some  below; 

Learns  from  this  union  of  the  rising  whole, 

The  first,  last  purpose  of  the  human  soul; 

And  knows  where  faith,  law,  morals,  all  began, 

All  end,  in  Love  of  God  and  Love  of  man.” 


38 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MAY 


MAY 


MAY 


MAY 


7.  Of  Nature’s 

Climbing  Soul. 

“Whether  we  look,  or  whether  we  listen, 

We  hear  life  murmur,  or  see  it  glisten; 

Every  clod  feels  a stir  of  might, 

An  instinct  within  it  that  reaches  and  towers, 

And,  groping  blindly  above  it  for  light, 

Climbs  to  a soul  in  grass  and  flowers.’ ’ 


8,  Of  Him  Who 

Never  Rests. 

“To  insight  profounder 
Man’s  spirit  must  dive; 

His  aye-rolling  orbit 
At  no  goal  will  arrive; 

The  heavens  that  now  draw  him 
With  sweetness  untold, 

Once  found, — for  new  heavens 
He  spurneth  the  old.” 


9t  Of  the 

Two  Voices. 

“Hears  not  also  mortal  life? 

Hear  nor  we,  unthinking  Creatures, 

Slaves  to  folly,  love  or  strife — 

Voices  of  two  different  natures? 

Such  rebounds  our  inward  ear 
Catches  sometimes  from  afar — 

Listen,  ponder,  hold  them  dear, 

For  of  God, — of  God  they  are.” 


2Q  Of  the  Origin 

of  Sacred  Literature 

“Out  from  the  heart  of  nature  rolled 
The  burdens  of  the  Bibles  old; 

The  litanies  of  nations  came, 

Like  the  volcano’s  tongue  of  flame, 

Up  from  the  burning  core  below, — 

The  canticles  of  love  and  woe.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


39 


MAY  11 


Of  the  Signs 

Of  Promise. 


“I  hear  the  soul  of  Man  around  me  waking, 

Like  a great  sea,  its  frozen  fetters  breaking, 
Every  hour  new  signs  of  promise  tell 
That  the  great  soul  shall  once  again  be  free, 
For  high,  and  yet  more  high,  the  murmurs  swell 
Of  inward  strife  for  truth  and  liberty. ” 


MAY  12.  For  Him  Who  Would 


“Father  of  all!  in  every  age, 

In  every  clime  adored, 

By  saint,  by  savage,  and  by  sage, 

Jehovah,  Jove,  or  Lord! 

Thou  Great  First  Cause,  least  understood; 

Who  all  my  sense  confined 
To  know  but  this,  that  thou  art  good, 
And  that  myself  am  blind; 

To  thee,  whose  temple  is  all  space, 

Whose  altar,  earth,  sea,  skies! 

One  chorus  let  all  being  raise! 

All  Nature’s  incense  rise!” 


“The  airs  of  heaven  blow  o’er  me; 
A glory  shines  before  me 
Of  what  mankind  shall  be, — 
Pure,  generous,  brave  and  free. 
A dream  of  man  and  woman 
Diviner  but  still  human, 

Solving  the  riddle  old,  ' 

Shaping  the  Age  of  Gold!” 


Offer  Prayer. 


MAY  13. 


Of  the  Glory 


Unspeakable. 


40 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MAY  14. 


When  the  Soul 

Is  Awake. 


“The  eye — it  cannot  choose  but  see; 

We  cannot  bid  the  ear  be  still; 

Our  bodies  feel,  where’er  they  be, 

Against  or  with  our  will. 

Nor  less  I deem  that  there  are  Powers 
Which  of  themselves  our  minds  impress; 
That  we  can  feed  this  mind  of  ours 
In  a wise  passiveness.” 


MAY  15. 


Of  Heaven 

and  Hell. 


“0  restless  spirit!  wherefore  strain 
Beyond  thy  sphere? 

Heaven  and  Hell,  with  their  joy  and  pain, 
Are  now  and  here. 

Then  of  what  is  to  be,  and  of  what  is  done, 
Why  queriest  thou? 

The  Past  and  the  time  to  be  are  one, 

And  both  are  NOW!” 


MAY  16. 


Of  the  Heaven 

Everywhere. 


“Not  only  around  our  infancy 
Doth  heaven  with  all  its  splendors  lie, 
Daily,  with  souls  that  cringe  and  plot, 
Wle  Sinais  climb  and  know  it  not.” 


MAY  17. 


Of  the  Impulse 

to  Happiness. 


“The  showers  of  the  spring 
Rouse  the  birds,  and  they  sing; 

If  the  wind  do  but  stir  for  his  proper  delight, 

Each  leaf,  that  and  this,  his  neighbor  will  kiss; 
Each  wave,  one  and  t’other,  speeds  after  his  brother; 
They  are  happy,  for  that  is  their  right.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


41 


MAY 


Of  What  Makes 

or  Mars. 

“Man  is  his  own  star;  and  the  soul  that  can 
Render  an  honest  and  a perfect  man 
Commands  all  light,  all  influence,  all  fate. 

Nothing  to  him  falls  early,  or  too  late. 

Our  acts  our  angels  are,  or  good  or  ill, 

Our  fatal  shadows  that  walk  by  us  still. ” 


MAY  19. 


Of  What 

Life  is  For. 


“For  life,  with  all  it  yields  of  joy  or  woe, 

And  hope  and  fear,  * * * * 

Is  just  our  chance  o’  the  prize  of  learning  love, 
How  love  might  be,  hath  been  indeed,  and  is ; 

And  that  we  hold  thenceforth  to  the  uttermost 
Such  prize  despite  the  envy  of  the  world, 

And,  having  gained  truth,  keep  truth:  that  is  all.” 


MAY  20  of  a Presence 

to  be  Felt  and  Known. 

“He  is  made  one  with  Nature:  there  is  heard 
His  voice  in  all  her  music,  from  the  moan 
Of  thunder,  to  the  song  of  night’s  sweet  bird; 

He  is  a presence  to  be  felt  and  known 
In  darkness  and  in  light,  from  herb  and  stone 
Spreading  itself  where’er  that  Power  may  move 
Which  has  withdrawn  his  being  to  its  own; 

Which  wields  the  world  with  never  wearied  love, 
Sustains  it  from  beneath,  and  kindles  it  above.” 


MAY  21.  Of  Those  Obscure 

in  Destiny 

“Let  not  Ambition  mock  their  useful  toil, 

Their  homely  joys,  and  destiny  obscure; 

Nor  Grandeur  hear  with  a disdainful  smile 
The  short  and  simple  annals  of  the  poor. 

The  boast  of  heraldry,  the  pomp  of  power, 

And  all  that  beauty,  all  that  wealth  e’er  gave, 
Await  alike  the  inevitable  hour; — 

The  paths  of  glory  lead  but  to  the  grave.” 


42 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MAY  22.  Of  “Man’s 

Chief  Attribute.” 

“The  thoughtless  man  we  must  despise, 

Who  disregards  the  thing  he  shapes. 

This  forms  a man’s  chief  attribute, 

And  Reason  is  to  him  assign’d, 

That  what  his  hand  may  execute, 

Within  his  heart,  too,  he  should  find.” 

MAY  23.  Of  Yearning 

Onward. 

“Alas  the  wings  that  lift  the  mind  no  aid 
Of  wings  to  lift  the  body  can  bequeath  me, 

Yet  in  each  soul  is  born  the  pleasure 
Of  yearning  onward,  upward  and  away, 

When  o’er  our  heads,  lost  in  the  vaulted  azure, 

The  lark  sends  down  his  flickering  lay, — 

When  over  crags  and  piny  highlands 
The  poising  eagle  slowly  soars, 

And  over  plains  and  lakes  and  islands 
The  crane  sails  by  to  other  shores.” 

MAY  24.  Empire  “transfused  by 

Power  of  Thought.” 

“Make  knowledge  circle  with  the  winds; 

But  let  her  herald,  Reverence,  fly 
Before  her  to  whatever  sky 
Bear  seed  of  men  and  growth  of  minds. 

Love  thou  thy  land,  with  love  far-brought 
From  out  the  storied  Past,  and  used 
Within  the  Present,  but  transfused 
Thro  ’ future  time  by  power  of  Thought.  ’ ’ 

MAY  25.  ~ Of  the  Spirit’s 

Voyage. 

“We  have  past  Age’s  icy  caves, 

And  Manhood’s  dark  and  tossing  waves, 

And  Youth’s  smooth  ocean,  smiling  to  betray: 

Beyond  the  glassy  gulfs  we  flee 
Of  shadow-peopled  Infancy, 

Through  Death  and  Birth,  to  a diviner  day.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


43 


MAY  26. 


MAY  27. 


MAY  28. 


Of  the  Mood 

of  Worship. 

‘The  harp  at  Nature ’s  advent  strung 
Has  never  ceased  to  play; 

The  song  the  stars  of  morning  sung 
Has  never  died  away. 

The  blue  sky  is  the  temple’s  arch, 

Its  transept  earth  and  air, 

The  music  of  its  starry  march 
The  chorus  of  a prayer.” 


Of  the  Way 

to  Sing. 

“No  messenger  to  run  before, 

Devising  plan; 

No  mention  of  the  place  or  hour 
To  any  man; 

No  waiting  till  some  sound  betrays 
A listening  ear; 

No  different  voice,  no  new  delays, 

If  steps  draw  near. 

The  birds  must  know.  Who  wisely  sings 
Will  sing  as  they; 

The  common  air  has  generous  wings, 

Songs  make  their  way.” 


Of  the  Pleasures 

of  the  Mind. 

:When  all  is  done  and  said, 

In  the  end  this  shall  you  find : 

He  most  of  all  doth  bathe  in  bliss 
That  hath  a quiet  mind; 

And,  clear  from  worldly  cares, 

To  deem,  can  be  content, 

The  sweetest  time  in  all  his  life 
In  thinking  to  be  spent.” 


44 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


MAY  29.  Of  the  Stillness 

of  the  Infinite. 

“The  bird  winging  the  evening  sky 
Flies  onward  without  song; 

The  crowding  years  as  they  pass  by 
Flow  on  in  mutest  throng. 

With  sweetest  music  silence  blends, 

And  silent  praise  is  best; 

In  silence  life  begins  and  ends: 

God  cannot  be  expressed.  ” 


MAY  30.  of  °ne’s  Debt 

to  the  Past. 

“I  had  my  birth  where  stars  were  born, 

In  the  dim  aeons  of  the  past; 

My  cradle  cosmic  forces  rocked, 

And  to  my  first  was  linked  my  last. 

For  me,  through  fire  and  blood  and  tears, 

Man  struggled  onward  up  the  height, 

On  which,  at  last,  from  heaven  falls 
An  ever  clearer,  broader  light. 

The  child  of  all  the  ages,  I, 

Nursed  on  the  exhaustless  breasts  of  time; 

By  heroes  thrilled,  by  sages  taught, 

Sung  to  by  bards  of  every  clime.” 


MAY  31.  of  the  Truths 

of  the  Spirit. 

“0  joy!  that  in  our  embers 
Is  something  that  doth  live, 

That  Nature  yet  remembers 
What  was  so  fugitive!” 

“Truths  that  wake, 

To  perish  never; 

Which  neither  listlessness,  nor  mad  endeavor, 

Nor  Man  nor  Boy, 

Nor  all  that  is  at  enmity  with  joy, 

Can  utterly  abolish  or  destroy!” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


45 


JUNE  1.  °f  the  Land 

of  Dreams. 

“One  calm  sweet  smile,  in  that  shadowy  sphere, 

From  eyes  that  open  on  earth  no  more — 

One  warning  word  from  a voice  once  dear — 

How  they  rise  in  the  memory  o’er  and  o’er! 

Far  off  from  those  hills  that  shine  with  day 
And  fields  that  bloom  in  the  heavenly  gales, 

The  Land  of  Dreams  goest  stretching  away 
To  dimmer  mountains  and  darker  vales. 

So  shalt  thou  come  from  the  Land  of  Dreams, 

With  love  and  peace  to  this  world  of  strife: 

And  the  light  that  over  that  border  streams 
Shall  lie  on  the  path  of  thy  daily  life.” 


JUNE  2.  of  the  Love 

of  Nature. 

“For  she  can  so  inform 
The  mind  that  is  within  us,  so  impress 
With  quietness  and  beauty,  and  so  feed 
With  lofty  thoughts,  that  neither  evil  tongues, 

Rash  judgments,  nor  the  sneers  of  selfish  men, 

Nor  greetings  where  no  kindness  is,  nor  all 
The  dreary  intercourse  of  daily  life, 

Shall  e’er  prevail  against  us,  or  disturb 
Our  cheerful  faith,  that  all  which  we  behold 
Is  full  of  blessings.” 


JUNE  3.  Of  the  Remorse 

of  Guinevere. 

“Ah  my  God, 

What  might  I not  have  made  of  thy  fair  world, 

Had  I but  loved  thy  highest  creature  here? 

It  was  my  duty  to  have  loved  the  highest: 

It  surely  was  my  profit  had  I known: 

It  would  have  been  my  pleasure  had  I seen. 

We  needs  must  love  the  highest  when  we  see  it, 

Not  Lancelot,  nor  another.” 


46 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JUNE  4.  Of  the  Inspiration  One  May  Receive 

From  a Beautiful  Day. 

“Through  every  fiber  of  my  brain. 

Through  every  nerve,  through  every  vein, 

I feel  the  electric  thrill,  the  touch 
Of  life,  that  seems  almost  too  much. 

I hear  the  wind  among  the  trees 
Playing  celestial  symphonies; 

I see  the  branches  downward  bent, 

Like  keys  of  some  great  instrument. 

0 Gift  of  God!  0 perfect  day; 

Whereon  shall  no  man  work,  but  play; 

Whereon  it  is  enough  for  me, 

Not  to  be  doing,  but  to  be!” 

JUNE  5.  of  Each  and 

All. 

“All  are  needed  by  each  one; 

Nothing  is  fair  or  good  alone. 

I thought  the  sparrow’s  note  from  heaven, 

Singing  at  dawn  on  the  alder  bough; 

I brought  him  home,  in  his  nest,  at  even; 

He  sings  the  song,  but  it  cheers  not  now, 

For  I did  not  bring  home  the  river  and  sky; — 

He  sang  to  my  ear, — they  sang  to  my  eye. 9 9 


JUNE  6. 


When  the  Soul 

Communes  With  Nature. 


“That  blessed  mood, 
In  which  the  burthen  of  the  mystery, 

In  which  the  heavy  and  the  weary  weight 
Of  all  this  unintelligible  world, 

Is  lightened : * * * * 

Until,  the  breath  of  this  corporeal  frame 
And  even  the  motion  of  our  human  blood 
Almost  suspended,  we  are  laid  asleep 
In  body,  and  become  a living  soul: 

While  with  an  eye  made  quiet  by  the  power 
Of  harmony,  and  the  deep  power  of  joy, 

We  see  into  the  life  of  things.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


47 


JUNE  7. 


Of  Choosing 
Sides. 


“By  all  for  which  the  martyrs  bore  their  agony  and  shame; 

By  all  the  warning  words  of  truth  with  which  the  pro- 
phets came; 

By  the  Future  which  awaits  us;  by  all  the  hopes  which 
cast 

Their  faint  and  trembling  beams  across  the  blackness  of 
the  Past; 

And  by  the  blessed  thought  of  Him  who  for  Earth ’s  free- 
dom died, 

0 my  people!  0 my  brothers!  let  us  choose  the  righteous 
side.” 


JUNE  8. 


Of  the  Power  of 

Second  Birth 


“I  come  to  overthrow  the  ancient  wrong, 

To  let  the  joy  of  nations  rise  again; 

I am  Unselfish  Service,  I am  Song, 

I am  the  Hope  that  feeds  the  hearts  of  men. 
I am  the  Vision  in  the  world-eclipse, 

And  where  I pass  the  feet  of  Beauty  burn; 
And  when  I set  the  bugle  to  my  lips, 

The  youth  of  work-worn  ages  will  return.” 


______  Of  the  Colors  of  Nature 

JUNE  9.  and  Their  Meaning. 

“I  cannot  tell  what  you  say,  green  leaves, 

I cannot  tell  what  you  say: 

But  I know  that  there  is  a spirit  in  you, 

And  a world  in  you  this  day. 

0 green  is  the  color  of  faith  and  truth, 

And  rose  the  color  of  love  and  youth, 

And  brown  of  the  fruitful  clay. 

Sweet  earth  is  faithful,  and  fruitful  and  young, 

And  her  bridal  day  shall  come  ere  long, 

And  you  shall  know  what  the  rocks  and  the  streams 
And  the  whispering  woodlands  say.” 


48 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JUNE  10.  of  the  World 

Invisible. 

“It  lies  around  us  like  a cloud, 

The  world  we  do  not  see ; 

Yet  the  sweet  closing  of  an  eye 
May  bring  us  there  to  be. 

Its  gentle  breezes  fan  our  cheeks 
Amid  our  worldly  cares; 

Its  gentle  voices  whisper  love, 

And  mingle  with  our  prayers.’ ’ 


JUNE  11.  °f  the  Victory 

Over  Death. 

“Sweet  is  the  scene  when  virtue  dies! 

When  sinks  a righteous  soul  to  rest, 

How  mildly  beam  the  closing  eyes, 

How  gently  heaves  the  expiring  breast! 
Triumphant  smiles  the  victor  brow; 

Fanned  by  some  angel’s  purple  wing; — 

Where  is,  0 grave!  thy  victory  now? 

And  where,  insidious  death!  thy  sting?” 


JUNE  12.  Of  Keeping  Calm 

In  a Storm. 

“Whose  powers  shed  round  him  in  the  common  strife, 
Or  mild  concerns  of  ordinary  life, 

A constant  influence;  a peculiar  grace; 

But  who,  if  he  be  called  upon  to  face 

Some  awful  moment  to  which  Heaven  has  joined 

Great  issues,  good  or  bad  for  humankind, 

Is  happy  as  a Lover;  and  attired 

With  sudden  brightness,  like  a man  inspired; 

And,  through  the  heat  of  conflict,  keeps  the  law 
In  calmness  made,  and  sees  what  he  foresaw. 

This  is  the  Happy  Warrior,  this  is  he 
That  every  man  in  arms  should  wish  to  be.  ’ ’ 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


49 


JUNE  13. 


Of  Something  Better 

Than  Philosophy. 


“0,  when  I am  safe  in  my  sylvan  home, 

I tread  on  the  pride  of  Greece  and  Rome; 
And  when  I am  stretched  beneath  the  pines, 
Where  the  evening  star  so  holy  shines, 

I laugh  at  the  lore  and  pride  of  man, 

At  the  sophist  schools  and  the  learned  clan; 
For  what  are  they  all  in  their  high  conceit, 
When  man  in  the  bush  with  God  may  meet ! 9 ’ 


JUNE  14.  A Craving 


“0  everlasting  Might! 

My  broken  life  repair; 

Nerve  thou  my  will  and  clear  my  sight, 
Give  strength  to  do  and  bear. 

0 everlasting  Love! 

Wellspring  of  grace  and  peace; 

Pour  down  thy  fullness  from  above, 
Bid  doubt  and  trouble  cease l” 


“We  receive  but  what  we  give, 

And  in  our  life  alone  does  nature  live: 

And  would  we  aught  behold  of  higher  worth, 
Than  that  inanimate,  cold  world  allowed 
To  the  poor,  loveless,  ever-anxious  crowd, 
Ah!  from  the  soul  itself  must  issue  forth 
A light,  a glory,  a fair  luminous  cloud 
Enveloping  the  Earth — 

And  from  the  soul  itself  must  there  be  sent 
A sweet  and  potent  voice,  of  its  own  birth, 
Of  all  sweet  sounds  the  life  and  element ! 1 9 


tor  Strength. 


JUNE  15. 


Of  Beholding  Things 

of  Higher  Worth. 


50 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JUNE  16.  For  Him  Wh0 

is  Determined. 

“And  virtue  is  more  than  a mere  empty  sound, 

His  practice  through  life  man  may  make  it, 

And  though  oft,  ere  he  yet  the  divine  one  has  found, 

He  may  stumble,  he  still  may  overtake  it. 

And  that  which  the  wise  in  his  wisdom  ne’er  knew, 

Can  be  done  by  the  mind  that  is  childlike  and  true.” 


JUNE  17.  °f  Beins  Thrilled 

By  an  Inward  Sense. 

“Mowers  are  not  flowers  unto  the  poet’s  eyes, 

Their  beauty  thrills  him  by  an  inward  sense; 

He  knows  that  outward  seemings  are  but  lies, 

Or,  at  the  most,  but  earthly  shadows,  whence 
The  soul  that  looks  within  for  truth  may  guess 
The  presence  of  some  wondrous  heavenliness.  ” 


JUNE  18.  °f  the  Mission 

of  the  Body. 

“What  is  he  but  a brute 
Whose  flesh  hath  soul  to  suit, 

Whose  spirit  works  lest  arms  and  legs  want  play? 

To  man,  propose  this  test — 

Thy  body  at  its  best, 

How  far  can  that  project  thy  soul  on  its  lone  way?” 


JUNE  19.  Of  Living 

Forever. 

“Alike  are  life  and  death, 

When  life  in  death  survives, 

And  the  uninterrupted  breath 
Inspires  a thousand  lives.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


51 


JUNE  20.  Of  Cosmic 

Beauty. 

“For  Nature  beats  in  perfect  tune, 

And  rounds  with  rhyme  her  every  cune, 

Thou  canst  not  wave  thy  staff  in  air 
Or  dip  thy  paddle  in  the  lake, 

But  it  carves  the  bow  of  beauty  there, 

And  the  ripples  in  rhyme  the  oar  forsake.  ’ ’ 


JUNE  21.  Of  the  Sermons 

in  Stones. 

“Sweet  are  the  uses  of  adversity, 

Which  like  the  toad,  ugly  and  venomous, 

Wears  yet  a precious  jewel  in  his  head; 

And  this  our  life,  exempt  from  public  haunt, 

Finds  tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 
Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  everything.” 


JUNE  22.  Of  the  Joy  of 

Elevated  Thoughts. 

“And  I have  felt 

A presence  that  disturbs  me  with  the  joy 
Of  elevated  thoughts;  a sense  sublime 
Of  something  far  more  deeply  interfused, 

Whose  dwelling  is  the  light  of  setting  suns, 

And  the  round  ocean  and  the  living  air, 

And  the  blue  sky,  and  in  the  mind  of  man: 

A motion  and  a spirit,  that  impels 

All  thinking  things,  all  objects  of  all  thought, 

And  rolls  through  all  things.” 


U,  OF  ILL  113. 


52 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JUNE  23.  of  the  Childlike 

Heart. 

“The  haughty  eye  shall  seek  in  vain 
What  innocence  beholds; 

No  cunning  finds  the  key  of  heaven, 

No  strength  its  gate  unfolds. 

Alone  to  guilelessness  and  love 
The  gate  shall  open  fall; 

The  mind  of  pride  is  nothingness, 

The  childlike  heart  is  all!” 


JUNE  24.  Of  the  Right  Kind 

• ;of«  Love. 

“The  warrior  for  the  True,  the  Right, 

Fights  in  Love’s  name; 

The  love  that  lures  thee  from  that  fight 
Lures  thee  to  shame; 

That  love  which  lifts  the  heart,  yet  leaves 
The  spirit  free, — 

That  love  or  none,  is  fit  for  one 
Man-shaped  like  thee.” 


JUNE  25.  of  Those  Things 

We  May  Trust  In. 

“I  trust  in  Nature  for  the  stable  laws 
Of  Beauty  and  Utility.  Spring  shall  plant, 

And  Autumn  garner  to  the  end  of  time: 

I trust  in  God — the  Right  shall  be  the  Right 
And  other  than  the  Wrong,  while  He  endures — 

I trust  in  my  own  Soul,  that  can  perceive 

The  outward  and  the  inward,  nature’s  good  and  God’s.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


53 


JUNE  26. 


Of  Him  Who  Is 

Not  Passion’s  Slave. 


“For  thou  hast  been 


As  one,  in  suffering  all,  that  suffers  nothing; 

A man  that  fortune’s  buffets  and  rewards 
Hast  ta’en  with  equal  thanks:  and  blest  are  those 
Whose  blood  and  judgment  are  so  well  commingled 
That  they  are  not  a pipe  for  fortune’s  finger 
To  sound  what  stops  she  please.  Give  me  that  man 
That  is  not  passion’s  slave,  and  I will  wear  him 
In  my  heart’s  core,  ay,  in  my  heart  of  heart, 

As  I do  thee.” 


JUNE  27.  of  the  Bird’s 


“What  objects  are  the  fountains 
Of  thy  happy  strain1? 

What  fields,  or  waves,  or  mountains? 

What  shapes  of  sky  or  plain? 

What  love  of  thine  own  kind?  What  ignorance  of  pain? 
Waking  or  asleep, 

Thou  of  death  must  deem 
Things  more  true  and  deep 
Than  we  mortals  dream, 

Or  how  could  thy  notes  flow  in  such  a crystal  stream?” 


JUNE  28.  In  the  Name  of  the  Power,  Not  Ourselves, 


That  Makes  for  Righteousness. 

“A  servant,  with  this  clause, 

Makes  drudgery  divine : 

Who  sweeps  a room  as  for  Thy  laws 
Makes  that  and  the  action  fine.” 


Flight  Upward. 


JUNE  29, 


A Daily  Prayer  for 

Men  in  the  Market. 


“Unto  common  good  ordain 
This  rivalship  of  hand  and  brain. 
And,  east  in  some  diviner  mold, 
Let  the  new  cycle  shame  the  old.” 


54 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JUNE  30. 


Of  the  Flight 

of  Time. 


“0,  leave  me,  still,  the  rapid  flight 

That  makes  the  changing  seasons  gay, 
The  grateful  speed  that  brings  the  night, 
The  swift  and  glad  return  of  day: 

Then  haste  thee,  Time — ’tis  kindness  all 
That  speeds  thy  winged  feet  so  fast : 

Thy  pleasures  stay  not  till  they  pall, 

And  all  thy  pains  are  quickly  past.  ” 


__  ^ Of  What  We  Ought 

JUliY  1.  to  Reverence. 

“ Learn  more  reverence,  * * * * not  for  rank  or 

wealth — that  needs  no  learning; 

That  comes  quickly — quick  as  sin  does,  ay,  and  culminates 
to  sin, 

But  for  Adam’s  seed,  MAN!  Trust  me,  ’tis  a clay  above 
your  scorning, 

With  God’s  image  stamped  upon  it,  and  God’s  kindling 
breath  within.” 


JULY  2. 


Of  the  Life 

of  Service. 

“And  ye  shall  succor  men; 

’Tis  nobleness  to  serve; 

Help  them  who  cannot  help  again; 

Beware  from  right  to  swerve.” 


JULY  3. 


Of  What  the  Best  Life 
Consists  In. 


“To  make  undying  music  in  the  world, 

Breathing  as  beauteous  order  that  controls 
With  growing  sway  the  growing  life  of  man — 
So  we  inherit  that  sweet  purity 
For  which  we  struggled,  failed,  and  agonized.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


55 


JULY  4.  ofthe 

Fatherland. 

“What  words  divine  of  lover  or  of  poet 
Could  tell  our  love  and  make  thee  know  it, 

Among  the  Nations  bright  beyond  compare? 

What  were  our  lives  without  thee? 

What  all  our  lives  to  save  thee? 

We  reck  not  what  we  gave  thee; 

We  will  not  dare  to  doubt  thee, 

But  ask  whatever  else,  and  we  will  dare.” 

____  _ Old  Fashioned 

JUJjY  Wisdom  in  Verse 

“Who  for  thy  table  feeds  the  wanton  fawn, 

For  him  as  kindly  spread  the  flowry  lawn. 

Is  it  for  thee  the  lark  ascends  and  sings? 

Joy  tunes  his  voice,  joy  elevates  his  wings. 

Is  it  for  thee  the  linnet  pours  his  throat? 

Loves  of  his  own  and  raptures  swell  the  note. 

And  just  as  short  of  reason  he  must  fall, 

Who  thinks  all  made  for  one,  not  one  for  all.” 


JULY  6. 


Of  the  Sensitive 
Plant. 


“That  garden  sweet,  that  lady  fair, 

And  all  sweet  shapes  and  odors  there, 

In  truth  have  never  past  away: 

’Tis  we,  ?tis  ours,  are  changed;  not  they. 
For  love,  and  beauty,  and  delight, 

There  is  no  death  nor  change;  their  might 
Exceeds  our  organs,  which  endure 
No  light,  being  themselves  obscure.” 


JULY  7. 


Of  the  Union  of  Greatness 
and  Humility. 


“True  dignity  abides  with  him  alone, 

Who  in  the  silent  hour  of  inward  thought, 
Can  still  suspect  and  still  revere  himself 
In  lowliness  of  heart.” 


56 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JULY  8.  Of  the  Kirgdom 

We  Hope  For. 

“Ay,  for  doubtless  I am  old  and  think  gray  thoughts,  for  I 
am  gray; 

After  all  the  stormy  changes  shall  we  find  a changeless 
May? 

When  the  schemes  and  all  the  systems,  Kingdoms  and  Re- 
publics fall, 

Something  kindlier,  higher,  holier, — all  for  each,  and  each 
for  all?” 


JULY  9.  of  °ur  Kinship 

With  All  Living  Things. 

“And  the  Poet,  faithful  and  far-seeing, 

Sees,  alike  in  stars  and  flowers,  a part 
Of  the  selfsame  universal  being, 

Which  is  throbbing  in  his  brain  and  heart. 

In  all  places,  then,  and  in  all  seasons, 

Flowers  expand  their  light  and  soul-like  wfings, 
Teaching  us,  by  most  persuasive  reasons, 

How  akin  they  are  to  human  beings.” 


JULY  10.  °f  the  Whispering 

Voices. 

“Ever  the  words  of  the  gods  resound; 

But  the  porches  of  man’s  ear 
Seldom  in  this  low  life’s  round 
Are  unsealed,  that  he  may  hear. 

Wandering  voices  in  the  air, 

And  murmurs  in  the  wold, 

Speak  what  I cannot  declare, 

Yet  cannot  all  withhold.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IK  THE  YEAR. 


57 


JULY  11, 


That  Our  Work 

Shall  Go  On, 


“Others  shall  sing  the  song, 
Others  shall  right  the  wrong, — 
Finish  what  I begin, 

And  all  I fail  of  win. 

What  matter,  I or  they? 
Mine  or  another’s  day, 

So  the  right  word  be  said 
And  life  the  sweeter  made?” 


“Here,  in  the  quiet  earth,  they  laid  apart 
No  man  of  iron  mold  and  bloody  hands, 

Who  sought  to  wreak  upon  the  cowering  lands 
The  passions  that  consumed  his  restless  heart: 

But  one  of  tender  spirit  and  delicate  frame 
Gentlest,  in  mien  and  mind, 

Of  gentle  womankind, 

Timidly  shrinking  from  the  breath  of  blame: 

One  in  whose  eyes  the  smile  of  kindness  made 
Its  haunt,  like  flowers  by  sunny  brooks  in  May, 
Yet,  at  the  thought  of  other’s  pain,  a shade 
Of  sweeter  sadness  chased  the  smile  away.” 


JULY  13.  of  the  Good 


“The  wisest  man  could  ask  no  more  of  fate 
Than  to  be  simple,  modest,  manly,  true, 

Safe  from  the  many,  honored  by  the  few; 
Nothing  to  crave  in  Church  or  World  or  State, 
But  inwardly  in  secret  to  be  great.  ’ ’ 


JULY  12. 


Of  the  Silent 

Heroes, 


for  its  Own  Sake, 


58 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


Of  What  Shall  Come 

if  We^Have  Faith. 

“Lo!  a cloud’s  about  to  vanish 
From  the  day; 

And  a brazen  wrong  to  crumble 
Into  clay. 

Lo!  the  Right’s  about  to  conquer, 

Clear  the  way! 

With  the  Right  shall  many  more 
Enter  smiling  at  the  door; 

With  the  giant  Wrong  shall  fall 
Many  others  great  and  small, 

That  for  ages  long  have  held  us 
For  their  prey. 

Men  of  thought  and  men  of  action, 

Clear  the  way ! ’ ’ 


For  Them 

Who  Keep  Heart. 

“Tho  hearts  brood  o’er  the  past,  our  eyes, 

With  smiling  features  glisten! 

For  lo!  our  day  bursts  up  the  skies: 

Lean  out  your  souls  and  listen! 

The  world  rolls  Freedom’s  radiant  way 
And  ripens  with  her  sorrow; 

Keep  heart!  who  bear  the  cross  to-day 
Shall  wear  the  crown  to-morrow.” 


JULY  16.  From  Thought 

to  Achievement. 

“Wait, — wait,  undoubting,  for  the  winds  have  caught 
From  our  bold  speech  the  heritage  of  thought; 

And  thought  unfettered  grows  through  speech  to  deeds, 
As  the  broad  forest  marches  in  its  seeds. 

What  tho  we  perish  ere  the  day  is  won'? 

Enough  to  see  its  glorious  work  begun ! ’ ’ 


JULY  14. 


JULY  15. 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


59 


JULY  17.  Of  the  LInks  Between 

the  Past  and  the  Future. 

“ Still  shall  the  soul  around  it  call 

The  shadows  which  it  gathered  here, 

And,  painted  on  the  eternal  wall, 

The  Past  shall  reappear. 

We  live  our  life  again: 

Or  warmly  touched,  or  coldly  dim, 

The  pictures  of  the  Past  remain. 

Man’s  work  shall  follow  him.” 


JULY  18.  of  what  sha11 

Endure. 

“All  that  is,  at  all, 

Lasts  ever,  past  recall; 

Earth  changes,  but  thy  soul  and  God  stand  sure: 

What  entered  into  thee, 

That  was,  is,  and  shall  be: 

Time’s  wheel  runs  back  or  stops:  Potter  and  clay  endure.” 


JULY  19.  of  the  J°y 

of  Living. 

“There’s  never  a leaf  nor  a blade  too  mean 
To  be  some  happy  creature’s  palace; 

The  little  bird  sits  at  his  door  in  the  sun, 

Atilt  like  a blossom  among  the  leaves, 

And  lets  his  illumined  being  o’errun 
With  the  deluge  of  summer  it  receives; 

His  mate  feels  the  eggs  beneath  her  wings, 

And  the  heart  in  her  dumb  breast  flutters  and  sings; 
He  sings  to  the  wide  world,  and  she  to  her  nest, — 

In  the  nice  ear  of  Nature  which  song  is  the  best1?” 


JULY  20.  of  the  Time  when 

the  Soul  Shall  Triumph. 

“Serene  will  be  our  days  and  bright, 

And  happy  will  our  nature  be, 

When  love  is  an  unerring  light, 

And  joy  its  own  security.” 


60 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JULY  21.  Of  the  Spiritual 

Depths. 

“Thought  is  deeper  than  all  speech, 

Feeling  deeper  than  all  thought  ; 

Souls  to  souls  can  never  teach 
What  unto  themselves  was  taught. 

We  are  spirits  clad  in  veils; 

Man  by  man  was  never  seen; 

All  our  deep  communing  fails 
To  remove  the  shadowy  screen.  ’ ’ 


JULY  22.  Of  the  Peace  that 

Passeth  Understanding. 

“To  him  who  in  the  love  of  Nature  holds 
Communion  with  her  visible  forms,  she  speaks 
A various  language;  for  his  gayer  hours 
She  has  a voice  of  gladness,  and  a smile 
And  eloquence  of  beauty,  and  she  glides 
Into  his  dark  musings,  with  a mild 
And  healing  sympathy,  that  steals  away 
Their  sharpness,  ere  he  is  aware.  ” 


JULY  23.  °f  the  New  World’s 

Gospel. 

“Thou  wilt  not  hold  in  scorn  the  child  who  dares 
Look  up  to  thee,  the  Father, — dares  to  ask 
More  than  thy  wisdom  answers. 

I claim  the  right  of  knowing  whom  I serve, 

Else  is  my  service  idle;  he  that  asks 
My  homage  asks  it  from  a reasoning  soul. 

We  who  have  rolled  the  sphere  beneath  our  feet 
To  find  a virgin  forest,  as  we  lay 
The  beams  of  our  rude  temple,  first  of  all 
Must  frame  its  doorway  high  enough  for  man 
To  pass  unstooping. 

This  is  the  new  world ’s  gospel:  Be  ye  men!” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


61 


JULY  24. 


Of  the  Cosmic  Spirit 

At  the  Center. 


“Not  for  sport  of  mind  and  force 
Hast  Thou  made  Thy  Universe, 
But  as  atmosphere  and  zone 
Of  Thy  loving  heart  alone.’ ’ 


JULY  25. 


Of  Joy 


in  the  Woods. 

“Be  it  ours  to  meditate, 

In  these  calm  shades,  thy  milder  majesty 
And  to  the  beautiful  order  of  thy  works 
Learn  to  conform  the  order  of  our  lives. 

My  heart  is  awed  within  me  when  I think 
Of  the  great  miracle  that  still  goes  on, 

In  silence,  round  me — the  perpetual  work 
Of  thy  creation,  finished,  yet  renewed 
Horever.  Written  on  thy  works  I read 
The  lesson  of  thy  own  eternity.” 


‘ c Once  to  every  man  and  nation  comes  the  moment  to  decide, 

In  the  strife  of  Truth  with  Falsehood,  for  the  good  or  evil 
side; 

Tho’  the  cause  of  evil  prosper,  yet  ’tis  Truth  alone  is 
strong, 

And,  albeit  she  wander  outcast  now,  I see  around  her 
throng 

Troops  of  beautiful,  tall  angels,  to  enshield  her  from  all 
wrong. 9 ’ 


JULY  26. 


Of  the  Choice 

Inevitable. 


62 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


JULY  27. 


It  May  Be 

Sometime. 


“0  Spirit  vast  and  deep  as  Night  and  Heaven! 

Mother  and  sonl  of  all  to  which  is  given 

The  light  of  life,  the  loveliness  of  being, 

Lo!  thou  dost  reascend  the  human  heart. 

Scorn  and  Hate, 

Revenge  and  Selfishness  are  desolate — 

A hundred  nations  swear  that  there  shall  be 
Pity  and  Peace  and  Love,  among  the  good  and  free!” 


JULY  28. 


Of  Kinship 

Everywhere. 


“The  wood  is  wiser  far  than  thou; 

The  wood  and  wave  each  other  know. 
Not  unrelated,  unallied, 

But  to  each  thing  and  thought  allied 
Is  perfect  Nature’s  every  part, 

Rooted  in  the  mighty  Heart.” 


JULY  29. 


Of  the  Soul’s 
Bible. 


“Slowly  the  Bible  of  the  race  is  writ, 

And  not  on  paper  leaves  nor  leaves  of  stone; 
Each  age,  each  kindred  adds  a verse  to  it, 

Texts  of  despair  or  hope,  of  joy  or  moan.” 


JULY  30. 


Of  One’s 

“ Daily  Bread.” 


“That  all  of  good  the  past  hath  had 
Remains  to  make  our  own  time  glad, — 
Our  common  daily  life  divine, 

And  every  land  a Palestine.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


63 


JULY  31. 


Of  the  Things  that 

are  Most  Precious. 


u Loveliest  of  lovely  things  are  they, 

On  earth,  that  soonest  pass  away. 

The  rose  that  lives  its  little  hour 
Is  prized  beyond  the  sculptured  flower. 
Even  love,  long  tried  and  cherished  long, 
Becomes  more  tender  and  more  strong, 
At  thought  of  that  insatiate  grave 
From  which  its  yearnings  cannot  save.” 


AUG.  1. 


From  the  Chorus 

of  Spirits. 


“ We’ll  pass  the  eyes 
Of  the  starry  skies 
Into  the  hoar  deep  to  colonize: 

Death,  Chaos,  and  Night, 

From  the  sound  of  our  flight, 

Shall  flee,  like  mist  from  a tempest’s  might. 

And  Earth,  Air  and  Light, 

And  the  Spirit  of  Might, 

Which  drives  round  the  stars  in  their  fiery  flight; 
And  Love,  Thought  and  Breath, 

The  powers  that  quell  Death, 

Wherever  we  soar  shall  assemble  beneath.” 


AUG.  2. 


Of  Duty  and 

How  it  Sustains. 


“ There  are  who  ask  not  if  thine  eye 
Be  on  them;  who,  in  love  and  truth, 

Where  no  misgiving  is,  rely 
Upon  the  genial  sense  of  youth: 

Glad  hearts:  without  reproach  or  blot; 

Who  do  thy  work,  and  know  it  not: 

0 ! if  through  confidence  misplaced 
They  fail,  thy  saving  arms,  dread  Powder! 

Around  them  cast.” 


64 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


AUG.  3.  Practical  Wisdom 

in  Rhyme 

“Judges  and  senates  have  been  bought  for  gold; 
Esteem  and  love  were  never  to  be  sold; 

Honor  and  shame  from  no  condition  rise; 

Act  well  your  part,  there  all  the  honor  lies. 

A wit’s  a feather,  and  a chief  a rod; 

An  honest  man’s  the  noblest  work  of  God.” 


AUG.  4.  °f  Heights 

and  Depths. 

“Inaudible  move  day  and  night, 

And  noiseless  grows  the  flower; 

Silent  are  pulsing  wings  of  light, 

And  voiceless  fleets  the  hour. 

The  highest  thoughts  no  utterance  find, 

The  holiest  hope  is  dumb, 

In  silence  grows  the  immortal  mind, 

And  speechless  deep  joys  come.” 


AUG.  5.  of  What  We 

Have  Not  Done. 

“If  I have  faltered  more  or  less, 

In  my  great  task  of  happiness; 

If  I have  moved  among  my  race 
And  shown  no  glorious  morning  face; 

If  beams  from  happy  human  eyes 

Have  moved  me  not!  if  morning  skies, 

Books,  and  my  food,  and  summer  rain, 

Knocked  on  my  sullen  heart  in  vain, — 

Lord,  thy  most  pointed  pleasure  take, 

And  stab  my  spirit  broad  awake.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


65 


AUG  6.  Of  the  Soul’s  Surrender 

to  the  Infinite. 

“Around  me  stood  the  oaks  and  firs; 

Pine-cones  and  acorns  lay  on  the  ground; 

Over  me  soared  the  eternal  sky, 

Full  of  light  and  of  Deity; 

Again  I saw,  again  I heard, 

The  rolling  river,  the  morning  bird; — 

Beauty  through  my  senses  stole; 

I yielded  myself  to  the  perfect  whole.  ” 


AUG.  7. 


Of  Riches 

in  Heaven. 


“For  this  is  my  kingdom:  my  peace  with  my  neighbor; 
The  clasp  of  a hand  or  the  warmth  of  a smile, 

The  sweetness  of  toil  as  the  fruit  of  my  labor, — 

The  glad  joy  of  living  and  working  the  while; 

The  birds  and  the  flowers  and  the  blue  skies  above  me, 
The  green  of  the  meadows,  the  gold  of  the  grain; 

A song  in  the  evening,  a dear  heart  to  love  me, — 

And  just  enough  pleasure  to  balance  the  pain.” 


AUG.  8. 


Of  the  Reasons 

for  Waiting. 


“Be  patient,  0 be  patient!  the  germs  of  mighty  thought 
Must  have  their  silent  undergrowth,  must  underground  be 
wrought ; 

Be  patient,  0 be  patient!  Put  your  ear  against  the  earth; 
Listen  there  how  noiselessly  the  germ  o ’ the  seed  has  birth ; 
How  noiselessly  and  gently  it  upheaves  its  little  way 
Till  it  parts  the  scarcely-broken  ground  and  the  blade 
stands  up  in  the  day.” 


66 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


Of  Marching 
On. 


AUG.  9. 


“Beneath  this  starry  arch 
Nought  resteth  or  is  still; 

But  all  things  hold  their  march, 

As  if  by  one  great  will; 

Moves  one,  move  all:  hark  to  the  foot-fall! 
On,  on,  forever! 

By  night  like  stars  on  high, 

The  Hours  reveal  their  train; 

They  whisper  and  go  by; 

I never  watch  in  vain. 

Moves  one,  move  all:  hark  to  the  foot-fall! 
On,  on,  forever !” 


Of  the  Smile 

of  Cheer. 

“When  I approach  the  setting  sun, 

And  feel  my  journey  nearly  done, 

May  earth  be  veiled  in  genial  light, 

And  her  last  smile  to  me  seem  bright ! 

Help  me  till  then  to  kindly  view 
The  world  that  I am  passing  through ! ’ 7 


Of  What 

All  Can  Do. 

“Thy  nature,  which,  through  fire  and  flood, 

To  place  or  gain  finds  out  its  way, 

Hath  power  to  seek  the  highest  good, 

And  duty’s  holiest  call  obey.” 


AUG.  10. 


AUG.  11. 


AUG.  12. 


Of  Him  Who  Believes 
in  Justice. 

“Stainless  soldier  on  the  walls, 

Knowing  this, — and  knows  no  more, — 
Whoever  fights,  whoever  falls, 

Justice  conquers  evermore, 

Justice  after  as  before.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


67 


AUG.  13, 


Of  Faith  Stronger 
than  Illusion. 


“And  so,  noble  soul,  forget  not  the  law, 
And  give  the  true  faith  thy  seal; 

What  ear  never  heard  and  eye  never  saw, 
The  Beautiful,  the  True,  they  are  real. 
Look  not  without,  as  the  fool  may  do; 

It  is  in  thee  and  ever  created  anew.” 


AUG.  14.  of  the  Value 


“Of  all  the  myriad  moods  of  mind 

That  through  the  soul  come  thronging, 
Which  one  was  e’er  so  dear,  so  kind, 

So  beautiful  as  Longing? 

But,  would  we  learn  that  heart’s  full  scope 
Which  we  are  hourly  wronging, 

Our  lives  must  climb  from  hope  to  hope 
And  realize  our  longing.  ” 


“The  eye  shall  fail  that  searches 
For  me  the  hollow  sky; 

The  far  is  even  as  the  near, 

The  low  is  as  the  high. 

The  stern  behest  of  duty, 

The  doom-book  open  thrown, 

The  heaven  ye  seek,  the  hell  ye  fear, 
Are  with  yourselves  alone.” 


of  Longing. 


AUG.  15, 


Of  the  Kingdom 

of  Heaven. 


68 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


AUG.  16.  °f  the  sPur 

to  the  Soul. 

“The  fiend  that  man  harries 
Is  love  of  the  Best; 

Yawns  the  pit  of  the  Dragon, 

Lit  by  rays  from  the  Blest. 

The  Lethe  of  nature 

Can’t  trance  him  again, 

Whose  soul  sees  the  perfect, 

Which  his  eye  seeks  in  vain.” 


AUG.  17.  Of  the  Ancient 

Sanctuaries. 

“Should  we,  in  the  world’s  riper  years,  neglect 
God’s  ancient  sanctuaries,  and  adore 
Only  among  the  crowd,  and  under  roofs 
That  our  frail  hands  have  raised*?  * * * * 

The  groves  were  God’s  first  temples.  Ere  man  learned 
To  hew  the  shaft,  and  lay  the  architrave, 

And  spread  the  roof  above  them, — ere  he  framed 
The  lofty  vault,  to  gather  and  roll  back 
The  sound  of  anthems;  in  the  darkling  wood, 

Amidst  the  cool  and  silence,  he  knelt  down 
And  offered  to  the  Mightiest  solemn  thanks 
And  supplication.” 


AUG.  18.  of  What  Ws 

Ought  to  See. 

“By  misery  unrepelled,  unawed 

By  pomp  or  power,  thou  seest  a Man 
In  prince  or  peasant, — slave  or  lord, — 

Pale  priest,  or  swarthy  artisan. 

Through  all  disguise,  form,  place,  or  name, 
Beneath  the  flaunting  robes  of  sin, 

Through  poverty  and  squalid  shame, 

Thou  lookest  on  the  man  within.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


69 


* - Q Of  Love  that  is  Stronger 

than  Death. 

“Love,  from  its  awful  throne  of  patient  power 
In  the  wise  heart,  from  the  last  giddy  hour 
Of  dead  endurance,  from  the  slippery  steep, 

And  narrow  verge  of  crag-like  agony,  springs, 

And  folds  over  the  world  its  healing  wings.” 


AUG.  20. 


Of  What  the 

Spirit  Tells  Us. 

“Out  of  darkness 
Into  light. 

And  out  of  light 

Into  darkness  again; 

Perhaps  to  pleasure, 

Perhaps  to  pain! 

There  must  be  Something, 

Above  or  below; 

Somewhere  unseen 
A mighty  Bow, 

A Hand  that  tires  not, 

A sleepless  eye 
That  sees  the  arrows 
F'ly  and  fly; 

One  who  knows 
Why  we  live — and  die.” 


Of  Beliel  that  the 
Right  Must  Win. 

“Blessed,  too,  is  he  who  can  divine 
Where  real  right  doth  lie. 

And  dares  to  take  the  side  that  seems 
Wrong  to  man's  blindfold  eye. 

For  right  is  right,  since  God  is  God; 

And  right  the  day  must  win; 

To  doubt  would  be  disloyalty, 

To  falter  would  be  sin.” 


70 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


AUG.  22.  Of  the  Change 

We  Hope  For. 

“ There *s  a fount  about  to  stream, 

There ’s  a light  about  to  beam, 

There ’s  a warmth  about  to  glow, 

There’s  a flower  about  to  blow; 

There’s  a midnight  blackness  changing 
Into  grey! 

Men  of  thought!  be  up  and  stirring 
Night  and  day; 

Sow  the  seed,  withdraw  the  curtain, 

Clear  the  way!” 


AUG.  23.  of  Peace 

Everlasting. 

“The  time  shall  come  when  earth  shall  be 
A garden  of  joy,  from  sea  to  sea, 

When  the  slaughterous  sword  is  drawn  no  more, 

And  goodness  exults  from  shore  to  shore. 

Toil,  brothers,  toil,  till  the  world  is  free, 

Till  goodness  shall  hold  high  jubilee!” 


AUG.  24.  That  it:  Wil1  Come 

Out  Right  Sometime. 

6 ‘ Deep  in  unfathomable  mines 
Of  never-failing  skill, 

He  treasures  up  his  deep  designs, 

And  works  his  sovereign  will. 

His  purposes  will  ripen  fast, 

Unfolding  every  hour; 

The  bud  may  have 'a  bitter  taste, 

But  sweet  will  be  the  flower.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


71 


AUG.  25.  °f  True 

Giving. 

“That  is  no  true  alms  which  the  hand  can  hold; 

He  gives  nothing  but  worthless  gold 
Who  gives  from  a sense  of  duty; 

But  he  who  gives  a slender  mite, 

And  gives  to  that  which  is  out  of  sight, 

That  thread  of  the  all-sustaining  Beauty 
Which  runs  through  all  and  doth  all  unite, — 

The  heart  outstretches  its  eager  palms, 

For  a god  goes  with  it  and  makes  it  store 

To  the  soul  that  was  starving  in  darkness  before. 9 9 

Of  the  Final 
Goal. 

“0  yet  we  trust  that  somehow  good 
Will  be  the  final  goal  of  ill, 

That  not  a worm  is  cloven  in  vain, — 

That  not  a moth  with  vain  desire 
Is  shrivel ’d  in  a fruitless  fire, 

Or  but  subserves  another’s  gain. 

Behold,  we  know  not  anything; 

I can  but  trust  that  good  will  fall 
At  last — far  off — at  last,  to  all, 

And  every  winter  change  to  spring.” 

Of  Those  Who  Would 

Be  in  the  Lead. 

“0  resistless  restless  race! 

0 beloved  race  in  all ! 0 my  breast  aches  with  tender  love  for 
all! 

0 I mourn  and  yet  exult,  I am  rapt  with  love  for  all, 
Pioneers,  0 pioneers! 

Have  the  elder  races  halted*? 

Do  they  droop  and  end  their  lesson,  wearied  over  there  be- 
yond the  seas'? 

We  take  up  the  task  eternal,  and  the  burden  and  the 
lesson, 

Pioneers,  0 pioneers!” 


AUG.  26. 


AUG.  27. 


72 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


AUG.  28.  Of  Serving 

by  Submission. 

“Who  best 

Bear  his  mild  yoke,  they  serve  him  best:  his  state 
Is  kingly;  thousands  at  his  bidding  speed, 

And  post  o’er  land  and  ocean  without  rest; 

They  also  serve  who  only  stand  and  wait.” 


AUG.  29. 


Of  Service 

in  Small  Things. 


“For  the  distant  still  thou  yearnest, 
And  behold,  the  good  so  near! 

If  to  use  the  good  thou  learnest, 
Thou  wilt  surely  find  it  here.” 


AUG.  30.  Of  the  Changing 

That  is  Not  Dying. 

‘ ‘ When  will  the  stream  be  aweary  of  flowing 
Under  my  eye? 

When  will  the  wind  be  aweary  of  blowing 
Over  the  sky? 

When  will  the  clouds  be  aweary  of  fleeting? 

When  will  the  heart  be  aweary  of  beating, 

And  not  die? 

Never,  0!  never,  nothing  will  die; 

The  world  was  never  made; 

It  will  change,  but  it  will  not  fade.  ’ ’ 


AUG.  31.  of  the  Soil 

We  Venerate. 

“What’s  hallowed  ground?  ’Tis  what  gives  birth 
To  sacred  thoughts  in  souls  of  worth! — 

Peace!  Independence!  Truth!  go  forth 
Earth’s  compass  round! 

And  your  high  priesthood  shall  make  earth 
All  hallowed  ground.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


SEPT.  1.  °f  the  Links  Which 

Make  Everything  One. 

“So  since  the  universe  began, 

And  till  it  shall  be  ended, 

The  soul  of  Nature,  soul  of  Man 
And  soul  of  God  are  blended.” 


SEPT.  2.  In  Memory  of 

the  Silent  Ones. 

“We  count  the  broken  lyres  that  rest 
Where  the  sweet  wailing  singers  slumber. 

But  o’er  their  silent  sister’s  breast 

The  wild  flowers  who  will  stoop  to  number? 

A few  can  touch  the  magic  string, 

And  noisy  [Fame  is  proud  to  win  them: — 

Alas  for  those  that  never  sing, 

But  die  with  all  their  music  in  them ! ’ ’ 


SEPT  3 of  the 

Trust. 

“Knowledge  comes,  but  wisdom  lingers,  and  I linger  on  the 
shore, 

And  the  individual  withers,  and  the  world  is  more  and 
more. 

Yet  I doubt  not  thro’  the  ages  one  unceasing  purpose 
runs, 

And  the  thoughts  of  men  are  widen’d  with  the  process 
of  the  suns.” 


SEPT.  4.  of  the  Souls 

That  Do  Not  Die. 

“Sweet  day,  so  cool,  so  calm,  so  bright, 

The  bridal  of  the  earth  and  sky, 

The  dew  shall  weep  thy  fall  to-night; 

For  thou  must  die. 

Only  a sweet  and  virtuous  soul, 

Like  seasoned  timber,  never  gives; 

But  tho  the  whole  world  turn  to  coal, 

Then  chiefly  lives.” 


74 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


SEPT  5.  Of  the  Life 

That  Pays. 

“0  may  I join  that  choir  invisible 
Of  those  immortal  dead  who  live  again 
In  minds  made  better  by  their  presence:  live 
In  pulses  stirred  to  generosity, 

In  deeds  of  daring  rectitude,  in  scorn 
For  miserable  aims  that  end  with  self, 

In  thoughts  sublime  that  pierce  the  night  like  stars, 
And  with  their  mild  persistence  urge  man’s  search 
To  vaster  issues.” 


SEPT.  6.  Of  the  Slow 

Climbing  Sun. 

“If  hopes  were  dupes,  fears  may  be  liars; 

It  may  be,  in  yon  smoke  concealed, 

Your  comrades  chase  e’en  now  the  fliers, 

And,  but,  for  you,  possess  the  field. 

For  while  the  tired  waves,  vainly  breaking, 

Seem  here  no  painful  inch  to  gain, 

[Far  back  through  creeks  and  inlets  making, 

Comes  silent,  flooding  in,  the  main, 

And  not  by  eastern  windows  only, 

When  daylight  comes,  comes  in  the  light, 

In  front,  the  sun  climbs  slow,  how  slowly, 

But  westward,  look,  the  land  is  bright.” 


Of  the  Temple 

kjEPT  7.  Not  Made  With  Hands. 

“To  cloisters  of  the  spirit 
These  aisles  of  quiet  lead; 

Here  may  the  vision  gladden, 

The  voice  within  us  plead! 

Here  be  no  man  a stranger; 

No  holy  cause  be  banned; 

No  good  for  one  be  counted 
Not  good  for  all  the  land.” 


FOB  EVEEY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR.  75 

SEPT.  8.  For  Him 

Who  Dares. 

“This  is  Love’s  nobility, — 

Not  to  scatter  bread  and  gold, 

Goods  and  raiment  bought  and  sold; 

But  to  hold  fast  his  simple  sense, 

And  speak  the  speech  of  innocence, 

And  with  the  hand,  the  body,  and  blood, 

To  make  his  bosom-counsel  good. 

For  he  that  feeds  men  serveth  few; 

He  serves  all  who  dares  be  true.” 


SEPT.  9.  For  Him 

Who  Seeks  Rest. 

“Wouldst  thou  soar  upward  on  joyous  wing, 

Cast  off  the  earthly  burden  of  the  real; 

And  from  this  cramped  and  dungeon-being  spring 
Into  the  realm  of  the  Ideal.” 


SEPT  10.  °f  the  Mood 

of  Surrender. 

“Transfused  through  you,  0 mountain  friends! 

With  mine  your  solemn  spirit  blends, 

And  life  no  more  hath  separate  ends. 

I read  each  misty  mountain  sign, 

I know  the  voice  of  wave  and  pine, 

And  I am  yours,  and  ye  are  mine, 

Life’s  burdens  fall,  its  discords  cease, 

I lapse  into  the  glad  release 
Of  Nature’s  own  exceeding  peace.” 


SEPT.  11.  of  the  SweeP 

Onward. 

“Far  away  beyond  her  myriad  coming  changes  earth  will  be 
Something  other  than  the  wildest  modern  guess  of  you 
and  me. 

Forward,  then,  but  still  remember  how  the  course  of  time 
will  swerve, 

Crook  and  turn  upon  itself  in  many  a backward  streaming 


curve. 


76 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VEESE 


SEPT.  12.  For  Him 

Who  Has  Faith 

u Careless  seems  the  great  Avenger;  history’s  pages  but 
record 

One  death-grapple  in  the  darkness  ’twixt  old  systems  and 
the  Word; 

Truth  forever  on  the  scaffold,  Wrong  forever  on  the 
throne, — 

Yet  that  scaffold  sways  the  future,  and,  behind  the  dim 
unknown 

Standeth  God  within  the  shadow,  keeping  watch  above 
His  own.” 


SEPT.  13. 


Of  Nature’s 

Most  Solemn  Lesson. 


((I  have  learned 

To  look  on  nature,  not  as  in  the  hour 
Of  thoughtless  youth;  but  hearing  oftentimes 
The  still,  sad  music  of  humanity, 

Nor  harsh  nor  grating,  tho  of  ample  power 
To  chasten  and  subdue. 

For  nature  never  did  betray 
The  heart  that  loved  her;  ’tis  her  privilege 
Through  all  the  years  of  this  our  life  to  lead 
From  joy  to  joy.” 


SEPT.  14. 


Of  Him“Who 

Is^Always  Rich. 

“If  happiness  have  not  her  seat 
And  center  in  the  breast, 

We  may  be  wise  or  rich  or  great 
But  never  can  be  blest.  ’ ’ 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


77 


SEPT.  15.  of  What  We  Think 

In  Life’s  Afternoon. 

“That  all  the  jarring  notes  of  life 
Seem  blending  in  a psalm, 

And  all  the  angles  of  its  strife 
Slow  rounding  into  calm. 

And  so  the  shadows  fall  apart, 

And  so  the  west-winds  play; 

And  all  the  windows  of  my  heart 
I open  to  the  day.” 


SEPT.  16. 


Of  the  Lesson 

of  Cosmic  Law. 


“Teach  me  your  mood,  0 patient  stars! 
Who  climb  each  night  the  ancient  sky, 
Leaving  on  space  no  shade,  no  scars, 

No  trace  of  age,  no  fear  to  die.” 


SEPT.  17. 


Of  the  Glory 

of  the  Commonplace. 


“Underneath  there  lies 
The  common  life  of  every  day; 

Only  the  spirit  glorifies 
With  its  own  tints  the  sober  gray. 

In  vain  we  look,  in  vain  uplift 

Our  eyes  to  heaven,  if  we  are  blind; 

We  see  but  what  we  have  the  gift 
Of  seeing ; what  we  bring  we  find. ’ ’ 


SEPT.  18. 


Of  Human 

Fellowship. 


“The  crest  and  crowning  of  all  good, 

Life’s  final  star  is  Brotherhood; 

For  it  will  bring  again  to  Earth 
Her  long-lost  Poesy  and  Mirth; 

And  till  it  comes,  we  men  are  slaves 
And  travel  downward  to  the  dust  of  graves. 

Tc  this  event  the  ages  ran; 

Make  way  for  Brotherhood — make  way  for  Man!” 


78 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


SEPT.  19.  Of  Him 

Who  Knew  Peace. 

“He  walked  the  dark  world,  in  the  mild, 

Still  guidance  of  the  Light; 

In  tearful  tenderness  a child, 

A strong  man  in  the  right. ’ ’ 


SEPT.  20. 


Of  the  Center 

of  Calm. 


“It  is  not  the  sea  that  sinks  and  shelves, 
But  ourselves 
That  rock  and  rise 
With  endless  and  uneasy  motion, 

Now  touching  the  very  skies, 

Now  sinking  into  the  depths  of  ocean.  ” 


SEPT.  21.  For  Him 

Who  Never  Tries. 

6 6 Labor  is  rest  from  the  sorrows  that  greet  us, 

Rest  from  all  petty  vexations  that  meet  us, 

Rest  from  sin-promptings  that  ever  entreat  us, 

Rest  from  world-sirens  that  lure  us  to  ill. 

Work, — and  pure  slumbers  shall  wait  on  thy  pillow; 
Work, — thou  shalt  ride  over  Care’s  coming  billow; 

Lie  not  down  wearied  ’neath  Woe’s  weeping  willow! 
Work  with  a stout  heart  and  resolute  will!” 


SEPT.  22. 


For  Him  Who  Would 

Not  Be  a Slave. 


“They  are  slaves  who  fear  to  speak 
For  the  fallen  and  the  weak; 

They  are  slaves  who  will  not  choose 
Hatred,  scoffing,  and  abuse, 

Rather  than  in  silence  shrink 
Hrom  the  truth  they  needs  must  think; 
They  are  slaves  who  dare  not  be 
In  the  right  with  two  or  three.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


79 


SEPT.  23.  of  the  Rei£n 

of  Law. 

“Through  the  vastness,  arching  all, 

I see  the  great  stars  rise  and  fall, 

The  rounding  seasons  come  and  go, 

The  tided  oceans  ebb  and  flow; 

The  tokens  of  a central  force, 

Whose  circles,  in  their  widening  course, 

Overlap  and  move  the  universe; 

The  workings  of  the  law  whence  springs 
The  rhythmic  harmony  of  things, 

Which  shapes  in  earth  the  darkling  spar, 

And  orbs  in  heaven  the  morning  star.  ’ ’ 


SEPT.  24. 


Of  the  Soul  in  0 
Things|Material. 


“And  what  if  trade  sow  cities 
Like  shells  along  the  shore, 

And  thatch  with  towns  the  prairie  broad 
With  railways  ironed  o’er? 

They  are  but  sailing  foam-bells 
Along  Thought's  causing  stream, 

And  take  their  shape  and  sun-color 
From  him  that  sends  the  dream.  ” 


SEPT.  25. 


Of  Communion 

With  Nature 


“Therefore  am  I still 
A lover  of  the  meadows  and  the  woods, 

And  mountains;  and  of  all  that  we  behold 
From  this  green  earth;  of  all  the  mighty  world 
Of  eye,  and  ear, — both  what  they  half-create, 
And  what  perceive;  well-pleased  to  recognize 
In  nature  and  the  language  of  the  sense, 

The  anchor  of  my  purest  thoughts,  the  nurse, 
The  guide,  the  guardian  of  my  heart,  and  soul 
Of  all  my  moral  being. 7 ' 


80 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


SEPT.  26. 


For  the  Time 

When  the  Tears  Come. 


“0  deem  not  they  are  blessed  alone 
Whose  lives  a peaceful  tenor  keep; 
The  Power  who  pities  man,  has  shown 
A blessing  for  the  eyes  that  weep. 

The  light  of  smiles  shall  fill  again 
The  lids  that  overflow  with  tears; 

And  weary  hours  of  woe  and  pain 
Are  promises  of  happier  years.’ ’ 


SEPT.  27. 


Of  Him  Who  Never 
Hesitates. 


“ Away  with  the  flimsy  idea  that  life  with  a past  is  attended, 

There’s  Now — only  Now — and  no  Past — there’s  never  a 
past;  it  has  ended. 

Away  with  its  obsolete  story  and  all  of  its  yesterday  sor- 
row; 

There’s  only  to-day,  almost  gone,  and  in  front  of  to-day 
stands  to-morrow.” 


SEPT.  28. 


For  Him 

Who  Will  Strive. 

“Not  to  ease  and  aimless  quiet 
Doth  that  inward  answer  tend, 

But  to  works  of  love  and  duty, 

As  our  being’s  end, — 

Not  to  idle  dreams  and  trances, 

Length  of  face,  and  solemn  tone, 

But  to  Faith,  in  daily  striving 
And  performance  shown.” 


8EPT.  29. 


That  All 

Is  Well. 

“In  the  tumult  and  excess 
Of  act  and  passion  under  sun, 

We  sometimes  hear,  0,  soft  and  far 
As  silver  star  did  touch  with  star, 

The  kiss  of  Peace  and  Righteousness 
Through  all  things  that  are  done.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN'  THE  YEAR. 


81 


SEPT.  30.  of  the  Soul 

of  the  Brook. 

“And  I shall  sleep — and  on  thy  side, 

As  ages  after  ages  glide, 

Children  their  early  sports  shall  try, 

And  pass  to  hoary  age  and  die. 

But  thou,  unchanged  from  year  to  year, 

Gaily  shalt  play  and  glitter  here; 

Amid  young  flowers  and  tender  grass 
Thy  tender  infancy  shalt  pass; 

And,  singing  down  thy  narrow  glen, 

Shalt  mock  the  fading  race  of  men.” 


OCT.  1.  When  the  Soul 

Itself  Speaks. 

“Hope  is  no  smiling  delusion  that  shames, 

Nor  folly  that  reason  should  scorn; 

’Tis  the  voice  of  the  heart  which  so  loudly  proclaims 
That  we  for  the  better  were  born. 

And  that  which  the  inner  voice  bids  us  believe 
Can  never  the  hope  of  our  spirits  deceive.” 


Of  a Creed 

Universal. 

“Free  from  its  bonds  the  mind, 

The  body  from  the  rod; 

Broken  all  chains  that  bind 
The  image  of  our  God. 

Earth  own,  at  last  untrod 
By  sect,  or  caste,  or  clan, 

The  fatherhood  of  God, 

The  brotherhood  of  man!” 


Of  Growth 

In  Spirit. 

1 ( More  skillful  in  self-knowledge,  even  more  pure, 

As  tempted  more ; more  able  to  endure, 

As  more  exposed  to  suffering  and  distress; 

Thence,  also,  more  alive  to  tenderness.” 


OCT.  2. 


OCT.  3. 


82 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


OCT. 


OCT. 


OCT. 


OCT. 


4.  Of  the  Pleasures 

of  the  Mind. 

“Companion  none  is  like 
Unto  the  mind  alone, 

For  many  have  been  harmed  by  speech, — 
Through  thinking,  few,  or  none, 

Fear  oftentimes  restraineth  words, 

But  makes  not  thoughts  to  cease; 

And  he  speaks  best  that  hath  the  skill 
When  for  to  hold  his  peace.’ ’ 


Of  Life  and 

Destiny. 

“We  shape,  ourselves,  the  joy  or  fear 
Of  which  the  coming  life  is  made, 

And  fill  our  Future’s  atmosphere 
With  sunshine  or  with  shade. 

The  tissue  of  the  Life  to  be 

We  weave  with  colors  all  our  own, 

And  in  the  fields  of  Destiny 
We  reap  as  we  have  sown.” 


6#  Of  Him 

Who  Serves. 

‘Who  puts  back  into  place  a fallen  bar, 

Or  flings  a rock  out  of  a traveled  road, 

His  feet  are  moving  toward  the  central  star, 

His  name  is  whispered  in  the  God’s  abode.” 


7#  For  Him  Who 

Would  Be  Serene. 

“How  happy  is  he  born  and  taught, 

That  serveth  not  another’s  will; 

Whose  armor  is  his  honest  thought, 

And  simple  truth  his  utmost  skill 
Whose  passions  not  his  masters  are, 

Whose  soul  is  still  prepared  for  death, 

Untied  unto  the  worldly  care 
Of  public  fame,  or  private  breath!” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


83 


For  Him  Who 

Would  Be  Steadfast. 

“His  ‘No’  was  ‘No’  without  recall; 

His  ‘Yes’  was  ‘Yes’  and  powerful  all; 

He  gave  his  ‘Yes’  with  careful  heed; 

His  thoughts  and  words  were  well  agreed, 

His  word,  his  bond  and  seal.” 


OCT.  9. 


To  Him 

Who  Trusts. 

“Tho  the  mills  of  God  grind  slowly, 

Yet  they  grind  exceeding  small; 

Tho  with  patience  He  stands  waiting, 

With  exactness  grinds  He  all.” 


OCT,  10. 


Of  the  Squirrel 

to  the  Mountain. 

“All  sorts  of  things  and  weather 
Must  be  taken  in  together, 

To  make  up  a year 
And  a sphere. 

And  I think  it  no  disgrace 
To  occupy  my  place.” 


OCT.  11.  For  Him  Who  Would 

Be  Immortal. 

“The  energy  of  life  may  be 
Kept  on  after  the  grave,  but  not  begun ; 

And  he  who  flagg’d  not  in  the  earthly  strife, 

From  strength  to  strength  advancing — only  he, 

His  soul  well-knit,  and  all  his  battles  won, 

Mounts,  and  that  hardly,  to  eternal  life.  ’ ’ 


OCT.  12.  In  the  Service 

of  Duty. 

“0,  let  my  weakness  have  an  end! 

Give  unto  me,  made  lowly  wise, 

The  spirit  of  self-sacrifice; 

The  confidence  of  reason  give; 

And  in  the  light  of  truth  thy  Bondman  let  me  live ! ’ ’ 


84 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


OCT.  13.  Of  the  Measure 

of  a Man. 

“Not  in  the  deed  that’s  done  before  the  eyes 
Of  wonder-stricken  lands  upturned  to  view, 

But  in  the  will , — though  no  occasion  rise, 

And  sleeping  still,  that  dares  such  deeds  to  do , 

Is  drawn  the  line  which  parts  him  from  the  clods 
And  gives  the  man  a kinship  with  the  gods.” 


OCT.  14.  Of  Spiritual 

Riches. 

“If  Thought  unlock  her  mysteries, 

If  Friendship  on  me  smile, 

I walk  in  marble  galleries, 

I talk  with  kings  the  while.” 


OCT.  15.  °f  Lisht  and 

Darkness. 

“He  that  has  light  within  his  own  clear  breast 
May  sit  in  the  center  and  enjoy  bright  day; 

But  he  that  hides  a dark  soul,  and  foul  thoughts, 
Benighted  walks  under  the  midday  sun; 

Himself  in  his  own  dungeon.” 


OCT.  16.  ^ the  ‘‘Whitening 

in  the  Social  Fire.” 

“Voices  are  crying  from  the  dust  to  Tyre, 

From  Baalbec  and  the  stones  of  Babylon — 

‘We  raised  our  pillars  upon  Self -Desire, 

And  perished  from  the  large  gaze  of  the  sun. 9 
No  house  can  stand,  no  kingdom  can  endure 
Built  on  the  crumbling  rock  of  Self-Desire : 

Nothing  is  Living  Stone,  nothing  is  sure, 

That  is  not  whitened  in  the  Social  Fire.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN'  THE  YEAR. 


85 


OCT  17  of  the  Man 

Who" Is  Free. 

“Out  of  the  night  that  covers  me, 

Black  as  the  pit  from  pole  to  pole, 

I thank  whatever  gods  may  be 
For  my  unconquerable  soul. 

It  matters  not  how  straight  the  gate 

How  charged  with  punishments  the  scroll, 

I am  the  master  of  my  fate : 

I am  the  captain  of  my  soul.” 


OCT  18  For  who 

Looks^Ahead. 

“High  hopes  that  burned  like  stars  sublime, 

Go  down  the  heavens  of  Freedom 
And  true  hearts  perish  in  the  time 
We  bitterliest  need  them! 

But  never  sit  we  down  and  say 
There’s  nothing  left  hut  sorrow; 

We  walk  the  wilderness  to-day, 

The  promised  land  to-morrow.” 


OCT.  19.  For  Him  Who 

Would  Not  Swerve. 

“Ah!  if  our  souls  but  poise  and  swing 
Like  the  compass  in  its  brazen  ring, 

Ever  level  and  ever  true 

To  the  toil  and  the  task  we  have  to  do, 

We  shall  sail  securely,  and  safely  reach 
The  Fortunate  Isles,  on  whose  shining  reach 
The  sights  we  see,  and  the  sounds  we  hear, 

Will  be  those  of  joy  and  not  of  fear!” 


86  A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 

OCT.  20.  For  Him  Who 

Has  Insight. 

‘ ‘ Sweet  is  the  pleasure 
Itself  cannot  spoil! 

Is  not  true  leisure 
One  with  true  toil? 

Thou  that  wouldst  taste  it, 

Still  do  thy  best ; 

Use  it,  not  waste  it, — 

Else  ’tis  no  rest.” 


OCT.  21.  of  Him  who 

Loves  Justice. 

“Few,  few  were  they  whose  swords  of  old 
Won  the  fair  land  in  which  we  dwell; 

But  we  are  many,  we  who  hold 
The  grim  resolve  to  guard  it  well. 

Strike,  for  that  broad  and  goodly  land, 

Blow  after  blow,  till  men  shall  see 
That  Might  and  Bight  move  hand  in  hand, 

And  glorious  must  their  triumph  be ! ” 


OCT.  22.  °f  the  Lost 

Heroes. 

“Gone?  In  grander  form  they  rise; 

Dead?  We  may  clasp  their  hands  in  ours, 

And  catch  the  light  of  their  clearer  eyes, 

And  wreathe  their  brows  with  immortal  flowers. 
W'herever  a noble  deed  is  done, 

’Tis  the  pulse  of  a Hero’s  heart  is  stirred; 
Wherever  Right  has  a triumph  won — 

There  are  the  Heroes’  voices  heard.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IK  THE  YEAR. 


87 


OCT.  23. 


For  Him  Who 
Can  See. 


“ Thick  is  the  darkness — 
Sunward,  0 sunward! 
Rough  is  the  highway — 
Onward,  still  onward! 
Dawn  harbors  surely 
East  of  the  shadows. 
Facing  us  somewhere 

Spread  the  sweet  meadows. 
Upward  and  forward! 

Time  will  restore  us: 

Light  is  above  us, 

Rest  is  before  us.” 


“ Still  the  race  of  Hero-spirits 

Pass  the  lamp  from  hand  to  hand; 
Age  from  age  the  world  inherits — 
‘Wife  and  Child,  and  Fatherland/ 
Still  the  youthful  hunter  gathers 
Fiery  joy  from  wold  and  wood; 

He  will  dare,  as  dared  his  fathers, 
Give  him  cause  as  good.” 


OCT.  25.  °f  the  Debts 


“Heaven  doth  with  us  as  we  with  torches  do, 

Not  light  them  for  themselves;  for  if  our  virtues 

Did  not  go  forth  of  us,  ’twere  all  alike 

As  if  we  had  them  not.  Spirits  are  not  finely  touch’d  % 

But  to  fine  issues,  nor  Nature  never  lends 

The  smallest  scruple  of  her  excellence 

But,  like  a thrifty  goddess,  she  determines 

Herself  the  glory  of  a creditor, 

Both  thanks  and  use.” 


OCT.  24. 


For  Those  Who  Are 

Tempted  to  Despond 


We  Owe. 


88 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


OCT.  26.  of  the  Wind  That 

Always  Blows  Right. 

“My  little  craft  sails  not  alone; 

A thousand  ships  from  every  zone 
Are  out  upon  a thousand  seas, 

And  what  for  me  were  favoring  breeze 
Might  crush  another  with  the  shock 
Of  doom  upon  some  hidden  rock. 

And  so  I do  not  dare  to  pray 
For  wind  to  waft  me  on  my  way. 

Then  whatsoever  wind  both  blow, 

My  heart  is  glad  to  have  it  so. 

And  blow  it  East  or  blow  it  West 

The  wind  that  blows,  that  wind  is  best.” 


OCT.  27.  For  Him  Who 

Is  in  Trouble. 

“The  rounded  world  is  fair  to  see, 

Nine  times  folded  in  mystery; 

Tho  baffled  seers  cannot  impart 
The  secret  of  its  laboring  heart, 

Throb  thine  with  Nature’s  throbbing  breast 
And  all  is  clear  from  east  to  west.” 


OCT.  28.  For  the  Last 

of  the  Flowers. 

“The  aster-flower  is  failing, 

The  hazel’s  gold  is  paling; 

Yet  overhead  more  near 
The  eternal  stars  appear! 

And  yet  for  the  things  I see 
I trust  the  things  to  be.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


89 


OCT.  29.  of the  Measure 

of  Strength. 

“ Count  me  o’er  earth’s  chosen  heroes, — they  were  souls  that 
stood  alone, 

While  the  men  they  agonized  for  hurled  the  contumelious 
stone, 

Stood  serene,  and  down  the  future  saw  the  golden  beam 
'incline 

To  the  side  of  perfect  justice,  mastered  by  their  faith  di- 
vine, 

By  one  man’s  plain  truth  to  manhood  and  to  God’s  su- 
preme design.” 


OCT.  30.  of  Who  Has 

Peace  Within. 

“In  lowly  vales  I mount 
To  pleasure’s  highest  pitch, 

My  simple  dress  sure  honor  brings, 

My  poor  estate  is  rich. 

My  conscience  is  my  crown, 

Contented  thoughts  my  rest; 

My  heart  is  happy  in  itself; 

My  bliss  is  in  my  breast.” 


OCT  31  At  the  Heart 

of  All. 

“Eterne  alternation 

Now  follows,  now  flies; 

And  under  pain,  pleasure, — 

Under  pleasure,  pain  lies. 

Love  works  at  the  center, 

Heart-heaving  alway; 

Forth  speed  the  strong  pulses 
To  the  borders  of  day.” 


90 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


NOV.  1.  a Plea  for 

Strength. 

“ A little  of  thy  steadfastness, 

Rounded  with  leafy  gracefulness, 

Old  oak,  give  me, — 

That  the  world’s  blasts  may  round  me  blow, 

And  I yield  gently  to  and  fro, 

While  my  stout-hearted  trunk  below 
And  firm-set  roots  unshaken  be.” 


NOV.  2. 


For  Him  Who 

Can  Wait. 


“ There  is  a day  of  sunny  rest 

For  every  dark  and  troubled  night; 
And  grief  may  abide  an  evening  guest, 
But  joy  shall  come  with  early  light.  ’ 7 


NOV.  3.  Of  the  Man  in 

Arms. 

“It  is  the  generous  Spirit,  who,  when  brought 
Among  the  tasks  of  real  life,  hath  wrought 
Upon  the  plan  that  pleased  his  boyish  thought: 

Whose  high  endeavors  are  an  inward  light 
That  makes  the  path  before  him  always  bright: 

This  is  the  happy  warrior;  this  is  he 
That  every  man  in  arms  should  wish  to  be. 7 7 


NOV.  4.  For  Him  Who 

Fights. 

“Soon  rested  those  who  fought;  but  thou 
Who  minglest  in  the  harder  strife 
For  truths  which  men  receive  not  now, 

Thy  warfare  only  ends  with  life. 

Yet  nerve  thy  spirit  to  the  proof, 

And  blench  not  at  thy  chosen  lot. 

The  timid  good  may  stand  aloof, 

The  sage  may  frown — yet  faint  thou  not.77 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


91 


NOV.  5.  °f  the  Church 

of  the  Soul. 

“ These  temples  grew  as  grows  the  grass; 

Art  might  obey,  but  not  surpass. 

The  passive  master  lent  his  hand 
To  the  vast  Soul  that  o’er  him  planned; 

And  the  same  power  that  reared  the  shrine 
Bestrode  the  tribes  that  knelt  within.” 


NOV.  6. 

“ Happy  the  man,  and  happy  he  alone, 

He  who  can  call  to-day  his  own; 

He  who,  secure  within,  can  say, 

To-morrow,  do  thy  worst,  for  I have  liv’d  to-day.” 


NOV.  7. 


Of  the  Glory 

of  Living. 


“The  things,  0 Life!  thou  quickenest,  all 
Strive  upward  towards  the  broad,  bright  sky. 
Upward  and  outward,  and  they  fall 
Back  to  earth’s  bosom  where  they  die. 

Well,  I have  had  my  turn,  have  been 
Raised  from  the  darkness  of  the  clod, 

And  for  a glorious  moment  seen 
The  brightness  of  the  skirts  of  God.” 


NOV.  8. 


Of  the  Horizon 

of  the  Soul. 


“Ye  heavens,  whose  pure,  dark  regions  have  no  sign 
Of  languor,  though  so  calm,  and  though  so  great 
And  yet  untroubled  and  unpassionate ; 

. . . . you  remain 

A world  above  man’s  head,  to  let  him  see 
How  boundless  might  his  soul’s  horizons  be, 

How  vast,  yet  of  what  clear  transparency! 

How  it  were  good  to  live  there  and  breathe  free: 
How  fair  a lot  to  fill 
Is  left  to  each  man  still!” 


92 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


NOV.  9.  Of  the  Immortal 

Good. 

“I  looked:  aside  the  dust-cloud  rolled, — 

The  Master  seemed  the  Builder  too ; 

Upspringing  from  the  ruined  Old 
I saw  the  New. 

’Twas  but  the  ruin  of  the  bad, — 

The  wasting  of  the  wrong  and  ill; 

Whatever  of  good  the  old  time  had 
Was  living  still.” 


NOV.  10.  Of  Truth 

Triumphant. 

“No  power  can  die  that  ever  wrought  for  Truth; 
Thereby  a law  of  Nature  it  became, 

And  lives  unwithered  in  its  sinewy  youth, 

When  he  who  called  it  forth  is  but  a name.” 


Of  the  Victor’s 
March. 

“Well  to  suffer  is  divine; 

Pass  the  watchword  down  the  line, 

Pass  the  countersign  1 Endure! ’ 

Not  to  him  who  rashly  dares, 

But  to  him  who  nobly  bears, 

Is  the  victor’s  garland  sure.” 


Of  the  Best 

of  All  Comrades. 

“If  Thought  and  Love  desert  us,  from  that  day 
Let  us  break  off  all  commerce  with  the  Muse; 

With  Thought  and  Love  companions  of  our  way, 
Whate’er  the  senses  take  or  may  refuse, 

The  Mind’s  internal  heaven  shall  shed  her  dews 
Of  inspiration  on  the  humblest  lay.” 


NOV.  11. 


NOV.  12. 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


93 


NOV.  13.  of  Love 

Triumphant. 

“Of  all  the  lives  lived, 

No  life  is  so  sweet, 

As  the  life  where  one  thought, 

In  refrain  doth  repeat, 

Over  and  over,  ever  and  ever, 

Till  the  life  ends, 

Altering  never. 

0 ! of  all  the  lives  lived, 

Can  be  no  life  so  sweet 
As  the  life  where  one  thought 
In  refrain  doth  repeat.  ” 


NOV.  14. 


Of  Ties 

Everlasting. 


“Poor  indeed  thou  must  be,  if  around  thee 
Thou  no  ray  of  light  and  joy  canst  throw, 

If  no  silken  cord  of  love  hath  bound  thee 
To  some  little  world  through  weal  and  woe.” 


NOV.  15. 


To  Him  Who 

Would  Be  Fearless. 


“ ‘Wouldst  thou/ — so  the  helmsman  answered, 
c Learn  the  secret  of  the  sea*? 

Only  those  who  brave  its  dangers 
Comprehend  its  mystery !?  ” 


NOV.  16. 


Of  What 

Might  Be. 


“Ah  God,  for  a man  with  heart,  head,  hand, 
Like  some  of  the  simple  great  ones  gone 
For  ever  and  ever  by. 

One  still  strong  man  in  a blatant  land, 
Whatever  they  call  him,  what  care  I, 
Aristocrat,  democrat,  autocrat, — one 
Who  can  rule  and  dare  not  lie.” 


94 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


NOV.  17. 


Of  the  Source 


of  Strength. 


“Is  parchment,  then,  the  holy  fount  before  thee, 

A draught  wherefrom  thy  thirst  forever  slakes? 

No  true  refreshment  can  restore  thee, 

Save  what  from  thine  own  soul  spontaneous  breaks.’ ’ 


“All  before  us  lies  the  way; 

Give  the  past  unto  the  wind; 

All  before  us  is  the  day, 

Night  and  darkness  are  behind. 
Eden  with  its  angels  bold, 

Love  and  flowers  and  coolest  sea, 
Is  less  an  ancient  story  told 
Than  a glowing  prophecy.” 


“ ‘Ah,  once  more,’  I cried,  ‘ye  stars,  ye  waters, 

On  my  heart  your  mighty  charm  renew; 

Still,  still  let  me,  as  I gaze  upon  you, 

Feel  my  soul  becoming  vast  like  you.’ 

From  the  intense,  clear,  star-sown  vault  of  heaven, 
Over  the  lit  sea’s  unquiet  way, 

In  the  rustling  night-air  came  the  answer: 

‘Wouldst  thou  be  as  these  are?  Live  as  they.’  ” 


NOV.  20.  For  Him  Who 


“0,  our  manhood’s  prime  vigor! 

No  spirit  feels  waste, 

No  muscle  is  stopped  in  its  playing, 

No  sinew  unbraced; — 

How  good  is  man’s  life,  the  mere  living! 
How  fit  to  employ 

The  heart  and  the  soul  and  the  senses 
Forever  in  joy.” 


NOV.  18, 


Of  the  True 
Eden. 


NOV.  19, 


Of  the  Stars 

and  Their  Lesson. 


Knows. 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


95 


NOV.  21.  For  Him’Who 

Would  Learn. 

“If  this  great  world  of  joy  and  pain 
Revolve  in  one  sure  track; 

If  freedom,  set,  will  rise  again, 

And  virtue,  flown,  come  back; 

Woe  to  the  purblind  crew  who  fill 
The  heart  with  each  day’s  care; 

Nor  gain,  from  past  or  future,  skill 
To  bear,  and  to  forbear!” 


NOV.  22.  Of  the  Higher 

Paradise. 

“In  the  spirit’s  perfect  air, 

In  the  passions  tame  and  kind, 

Innocence  from  selfish  care, 

The  real  Eden  we  shall  find, 

When  the  soul  to  sin  hath  died, 

True  and  beautiful  and  sound, 

Then  all  earth  is  sanctified, 

Upsprings  paradise  around.” 


NOV.  23.  °f  the  Higher 

Self. 

“All  we  have  will’d  or  hop’d  or  dream ’d  of  good,  shall  exist; 

Not  its  semblance,  but  itself;  no  beauty,  nor  good,  nor 
power 

Whose  voice  has  gone  forth,  but  each  survives  for  the 
melodist, 

When  eternity  affirms  the  conception  of  an  hour. 

The  high  that  prov’d  too  high,  the  heroic  for  earth  too 
hard, 

The  passion  that  left  the  ground  to  lose  itself  in  the  sky, 

Are  music  sent  up  to  God  by  the  lover  and  the  bard; 

Enough  that  he  heard  it  once:  we  shall  hear  it  by  and  by.” 


96 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


NOV.  24.  In  the  World 

of  the  Spirit. 

“He  spake  of  love,  such  love  as  Spirits  feel 
In  worlds  whose  course  is  equable  and  pure; 

No  fears  to  beat  away— no  strife  to  heal — 

The  past  unsighed  for,  and  the  future  sure. 

Of  all  that  is  most  beauteous-imaged  there 
In  happier  beauty — more  pellucid  streams, 

An  ampler  ether,  a diviner  air, 

And  fields  invested  with  purpureal  gleams; 

Climes  which  the  sun,  who  sheds  the  brightest  day 
Earth  knows,  is  all  unworthy  to  survey. 

Yet  there  the  soul  shall  enter  which  hath  earned 
That  privilege  by  virtue.’ ’ 


NOV.  25.  of  Beine 

Satisfied. 

“From  toil  he  wins  his  spirit’s  light, 

From  busy  day  the  peaceful  night; 

Rich,  from  the  very  want  of  wealth, 

In  heaven’s  best  treasures,  peace  and  health.” 


NOV.  26. 


Of  Kinship 

Universal. 


“For  mankind  are  one  in  spirit,  and  an  instinct  bears  along, 

Round  the  earth’s  electric  circle  the  swift  flash  of  right  or 
wrong; 

Whether  conscious  or  unconscious,  yet  Humanity’s  vast 
frame 

Through  its  ocean-sundered  fibers  feels  the  gush  of  joy  or 
shame ; — • 

In  the  gain  or  loss  of  one  race  all  the  rest  have  equal 
claim.  ’ ’ 


NOV.  27. 


Of  the  Beauty 

That  Does  Not  Fade. 

“Her  love  made  all  things  lovely, 

For  in  the  heart  must  live 
The  feeling  that  imparts  the  charm, — 

We  gain  by  what  we  give/’ 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


97 


NOV.  28.  Of  the  Man 

With  a Soul. 

“His  tongue  was  framed  to  music, 

And  his  hand  was  armed  with  skill, 

His  face  with  the  mold  of  beauty, 

And  his  heart  the  throne  of  will.” 

NOV.  29.  Of  the  Pathway 

of  Knowledge. 

“No  one  could  tell  me  where  my  Soul  might  be. 

I searched  for  God,  but  God  eluded  me. 

I sought  my  Brother  out,  and  found  all  three.” 

NOV.  30.  Of  “Each  Accomplished 

Service  of  the  Day.” 

“ — Each  true  deed  is  worship:  it  is  prayer, 

And  carries  its  own  answer  unaware, 

Yes,  they  whose  feet  upon  good  errands  run 
Are  friends  of  God,  with  Michael  of  the  Sun; 

Yes,  each  accomplished  service  of  the  day 
Paves  for  the  feet  of  God  a lordlier  way. 

The  souls  that  love  and  labor  through  all  wrong, 

They  clasp  his  hand  and  make  the  circle  strong; 

They  lay  the  deep  foundation  stone  by  stone, 

And  build  into  eternity  God’s  throne!” 

DEC.  1.  of  Love 

Religious. 

“So,  to  the  calmly  gathered  thought 
The  innermost  of  truth  is  taught, 

The  mystery  dimly  understood, 

That  love  of  God  is  love  of  good.  ’ ’ 

DEC.  2.  of  the  Lost 

Illusions. 

“I  grieve  not  that  ripe  Knowledge  takes  away 
The  charm  that  Nature  to  my  childhood  wore, 

Eor,  with  that  insight,  cometh,  day  by  day, 

A greater  bliss  than  wonder  was  before; 

The  real  doth  not  clip  the  poet’s  wings, — 

To  win  the  secret  of  a weed’s  plain  heart 
Reveals  some  clew  to  spiritual  things, 

And  stumbling  guess  becomes  firm-footed  art.” 


98 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


DEC.  3. 


DEC.  4. 


DEC.  5, 


DEC.  6, 


Of  the  Birth 

of  the  Spirit. 

“A  subtle  chain  of  countless  rings 
The  next  unto  the  farthest  brings; 

The  eye  reads  omens  where  it  goes, 

And  speaks  all  languages  the  rose; 

And  striving  to  be  man,  the  worm 

Mounts  through  all  the  spires  of  form/’ 


Of  Him 

Who  Keeps  On. 

“Dust  are  all  the  hands  that  wrought; 

Books  are  sepulchres  of  thought; 

And  I answer, — ‘Tho  it  be, 

W/hy  should  that  discomfort  me? 

No  endeavor  is  in  vain; 

Its  reward  is  in  the  doing , 

And  the  rapture  of  pursuing 

Is  the  prize,  the  vanquished  gain/  ” 


Our  Trust. 


“That  all  our  sorrow,  pain  and  doubt 
A great  compassion  clasps  about, 

And  law  and  goodness,  love  and  force, 
Are  wedded  fast  beyond  divorce/ 9 


Of  Beauty 

Universal. 

“There  the  great  Planter  plants 
Of  fruitful  worlds  the  grain, 

And  with  a million  spells  enchants 
The  souls  that  walk  in  pain. 

Still  on  the  seeds  of  all  he  made, 

The  rose  of  beauty  burns; 

Through  times  that  wear  and  forms  that  fade 
Immortal  youth  returns/ 9 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


99 


DEC.  7.  For  Him 

Who  Aspires 

“Be  noble!  and  the  nobleness  that  lies 
In  other  men,  sleeping,  but  never  dead, 

Will  rise  in  majesty  to  meet  thine  own; 

Then  wilt  thou  see  it  gleam  in  many  eyes, 

Then  will  pure  light  around  thy  path  be  shed, 

And  thou  wilt  nevermore  be  sad  and  lone. 7 ’ 


DEC.  8.  Of  the  Star-Like 

Soul. 

“Thy  soul  was  like  a star,  and  dwelt  apart; 

Thou  hadst  a voice  whose  sound  was  like  the  sea: 
Pure  as  the  naked  heavens,  majestic,  free, 

So  didst  thou  travel  on  life’s  common  way. 

In  cheerful  godliness,  and  yet  thy  heart 
The  lowliest  duties  on  herself  did  lay.” 


DEC.  9.  °f  Life 

Everlasting. 

“Were  a star  quenched  on  high, 

For  ages  would  its  light, 

Still  traveling  downward  from  the  sky, 

Shine  on  our  mortal  sight. 

So  when  a great  man  dies, 

For  years  beyond  our  ken, 

The  light  he  leaves  behind  him  lies 
Upon  the  paths  of  men.” 


DEC.  10.  For  Him 

Who  Believes. 

“I  watch  the  circle  of  the  eternal  years, 

And  read  forever  in  the  storied  page 
One  lengthened  roll  of  blood,  and  wrong,  and  tears, — 
One  upward  step  of  Truth  from  age  to  age.” 


100 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


DEO.  11.  A Universal 

Prayer. 

“Give  me,  Lord,  eyes  to  behold  the  truth; 

A seeing  sense  that  knows  the  eternal  right; 

A heart  with  pity  filled,  and  gentlest  ruth; 

A manly  faith  that  makes  all  darkness  light: 

Give  me  the  power  to  labor  for  mankind; 

Make  me  the  mouth  of  such  as  cannot  speak ; 

Eyes  let  me  be  to  groping  men  and  blind; 

A conscience  to  the  base;  and  to  the  weak 

Let  me  be  hands  and  feet;  and  to  the  foolish,  mind; 

And  lead  still  further  on  such  as  thy  kingdom  seek.” 
DEO.  12.  “ Of  Faith 

in  Man. 

“And  though  I?ve  learned  some  souls  are  base, 

I would  not  therefore  hate  the  race; 

I still  would  bless  my  fellow  men, 

And  trust  them,  though  deceived  again. 

God  help  me  still  to  kindly  view 
The  world  that  I am  passing  through!” 

DEO.  13.  For  Him  WhoJWould 

Keep  Abreast  of  Truth. 

“ ’Tis  as  easy  to  be  heroes  as  to  sit  the  idle  slaves 
Of  a legendary  virtue  carved  upon  our  fathers’  graves. 
New  occasions  teach  new  duties;  Time  makes  ancient  good 
uncouth ; 

They  must  upward  still,  and  onward,  who  would  keep 
abreast  of  Truth.” 

DEC.  14.  Of  the  Vanishing 

Years. 

“Look,  how  they  come, — a mingled  crowd 
Of  bright  and  dark,  but  rapid  days; 

Beneath  them,  like  a summer  cloud, 

The  wide  world  changes  as  I gaze. 

What!  grieve  that  time  has  brought  so  soon 
The  sober  age  of  manhood  on! 

As  idly  might  I weep,  at  noon, 

To  see  the  blush  of  morning  gone.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


101 


DEC.  15.  of  the  Value  ot 

A Random  Thought. 

“A  dreamer  dropped  a random  thought;  ’twas  old,  and  yet 
’twas  new; 

A simple  fancy  of  the  brain,  but  strong  in  being  true. 

It  shone  upon  a genial  mind,  and  lo ! its  light  became 
A lamp  of  life,  a beacon  ray,  a monitory  flame. 

The  thought  was  small;  its  issue  great;  a watch-fire  on  the 
hill; 

It  shed  its  radiance  far  adown,  and  cheers  the  valley  still ! ’ ’ 


DEC.  16.  of  Sowing 

and  Reaping. 

“Men  must  reap  the  things  they  sow, 

Force  from  force  must  ever  flow, 

Or  worse;  but  ’tis  a bitter  woe 

That  love  or  reason  cannot  change 

The  despot’s  rage,  the  slave’s  revenge.” 


DEC.  17.  Of  the  Man 

to  Come. 

“Let  war  and  trade  and  creeds  and  song 
Blend,  ripen,  race  on  race, 

The  sunburnt  world  a man  shall  breed 
Of  all  the  zones  and  countless  days. 

No  ray  is  dimmed,  no  atom  worn, 

My  oldest  force  is  good  as  new, 

And  the  fresh  rose  on  yonder  thorn 

Gives  back  the  bending  heavens  in  dew.  ’ ’ 


DEC.  18.  Of  What  is 

Possible  in  Man. 

“All  that  hath  been  majestical 

In  life  or  death  since  time  began, 

Is  native  in  the  simple  heart  of  all 
The  angel  heart  of  man. 

And  thus  among  the  untaught  poor 
Great  deeds  and  feelings  find  a home, 

That  cast  in  shadow  all  the  golden  lore 
Of  classic  Greece  and  Rome.” 


102 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


Of  the  Autumn 
Time. 


DEC.  19. 

“I’ve  tried  the  world — it  wears  no  more 
The  coloring  of  romance  it  wore. 

Yet  well  has  Nature  kept  the  truth 
She  promised  in  my  earliest  youth. 

The  radiant  beauty  shed  abroad 
On  all  the  glorious  works  of  God, 

Shows  freshly  to  my  sobered  eye, 

Each  charm  it  wore  in  days  gone  by.” 


DEC.  20.  of the  W*ricl1 

Knows  No  Failure. 

“Each  has  his  work  and  way, 

Each  has  his  part  and  play, 

Each  has  his  task  to  do, 

Both  of  the  good  and  true. 

Whether  thou’rt  grave  or  gay, 

Be  thou  yet  brave  and  true.” 


DEC.  21.  What  the  Poet 

Sees. 

“Ah,  there  is  something  here 
Unfathomed  by  the  cynic’s  sneer, — 

A conscience  more  divine  than  we, 

A gladness  fed  with  secret  tears, 

A vexing,  forward-reaching  sense 
Of  some  more  noble  permanence; 

A light  across  the  sea, 

Which  haunts  the  soul  and  will  not  let  it  be, 

Still  glimmering  from  the  heights  of  undegenerate  years.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN'  THE  YEAR. 


103 


DEC.  22.  of  the  Invisible 

Church. 

“With  noiseless  slide  of  stone  to  stone 
The  mystic  church  of  God  has  grown. 

Invisible  and  silent  stands 

The  temple  never  made  with  hands, 

Unheard  the  voices  still  and  small 
Of  its  unseen  confessional. 7 7 


DEC.  23.  For  Who 

Would  Know  God. 

“Flower  in  the  crannied  wall, 

I pluck  you  out  of  the  crannies; — 

Hold  you  here,  root  and  all,  in  my  hand, 

Little  flower — but  if  I could  understand 
What  you  are,  root  and  all,  and  all  in  all, 

I should  know  what  God  and  man  is.” 


DEC.  24.  of  High-Souled 

Deeds. 

“There  is  no  wind  but  soweth  seeds 
Of  a more  true  and  open  life, 

Which  burst  unlooked  for  into  high-souled  deeds 
With  wayside  beauty  rife.” 


DEC.  25.  ! Of  the  Love* 

! That  Never  Dies. 

“Love,  now  a universal  birth, 

From  heart  to  heart  is  stealing, 

From  earth  to  man,  from  man  to  earth: 

It  is  the  hour  of  feeling. 

One  moment  now  may  give  us  more 
Than  years  of  toiling  reason: 

Our  minds  shall  drink  at  every  pore 
The  spirit  of  the  season. ' 7 


104 


A SENTIMENT  IN  VERSE 


DEC.  26.  °f  the  Wheel 

of  Fortune. 

“ Smile,  and  we  smile,  the  lords  of  many  lands; 

Frown,  and  we  smile,  the  lords  of  our  own  hands; 

For  man  is  man,  and  master  of  his  fate. 

Turn,  turn  thy  wheel  above  the  staring  crowd; 

Thy  wheel  and  thou  are  shadows  in  the  cloud ; 

Thy  wheel  and  thee  we  neither  love  nor  hate.” 


DEC.  27.  °f  the  Senses 

of  the  Soul. 

“The  senses  folding  thick  and  dark 
About  the  stifled  soul  within, 

We  guess  diviner  things  beyond, 

And  yearn  to  them  with  yearning  fond; 

We  strike  out  blindly  to  a mark 
Believed  in,  but  not  seen.” 


DEC.  28.  Of  Him  Who  Asks 

For  No  Reward. 

“We  see  dimly  in  the  Present  what  is  small  and  what  is 
great, 

Slow  of  faith,  how  weak  an  arm  may  turn  the  iron  helm 
of  fate. 

Then  to  side  with  Truth  is  noble  when  we  share  her 
wretched  crust, 

Ere  her  cause  bring  fame  and  profit,  and  ’tis  prosperous 
to  be  just.” 


DEC.  29.  of  Beins  Lifted 

Up. 

“Whene’er  a noble  deed  is  wrought, 

Whene’er  is  spoken  a noble  thought, 

Our  hearts,  in  glad  surprise, 

To  higher  levels  rise. 

The  tidal  wave  of  deeper  souls 
Into  our  inmost  being  rolls, 

And  lifts  us  unawares 
Out  of  all  meaner  cares.” 


FOR  EVERY  DAY  IN  THE  YEAR. 


105 


DEC.  30.  of  the  staff 

of  Duty. 

“Through  no  disturbance  of  my  soul, 

Or  strong  compunction  in  me  wrought, 

I supplicate  for  thy  control; 

But  in  the  quietness  of  thought : 

Me  this  unchartered  freedom  tires; 

I feel  the  weight  of  chance-desires: 

My  hopes  no  more  must  change  their  name, 

I long  for  a repose  that  ever  is  the  same.n 


DEC.  31.  °f  Lookin& 

Into  the  Future. 

1 1 Once  the  welcome  light  has  broken, 

Who  shall  say 

What  the  unimagined  glories 
Of  the  day? 

What  the  evil  that  shall  perish 
In  its  ray? 

Aid  the  dawning  tongue  and  pen; 

Aid  it,  hopes  of  honest  men; 

Aid  it,  paper,  aid  it  type, 

Aid  it,  for  the  hour  is  ripe; 

And  our  earnest  must  not  slacken 
Into  play. 

Men  of  thought  and  men  of  action, 

Clear  the  way.” 


INDEX. 


Jan.  1.  Alfred  Tennyson,  1809-1892.  “Locksley  Hall.” 
Jan.  2.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  1807-1882. 
“Haunted  Houses.’ ’ 

Jan.  3.  Edmund  Hamilton  Sears.  1810-1876.  “The  An- 
gel’s Song.” 

Jan.  4.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  1803-1882.  Prefixed  to 
“Essay  on  Art.” 

Jan.  5.  Goethe.  1749-1832.  Found  as  a quotation. 

Jan.  6.  Matthew  Arnold.  1822-1888.  “Religious  Isola- 
tion. ’ ’ 

Jan.  7.  Robert  Southwell.  1556-1595.  “Content  and  Rich.” 
Jan.  8.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  1807-1892.  “My  Tri- 
umph. ’ ’ 

Jan.  9.  Found  as  an  anonymous  quotation.  Author  not 
located. 

Jan.  10.  Charles  Kingsley.  1819-1875.  “The  World’s  Age.” 
Jan.  11.  Robert  Browning.  1812-1889.  “Rabbi  Ben  Ezra.” 
Jan.  12.  James  Russell  Lowell.  1819-1892.  “Sonnet.” 

Jan.  13.  William  Wordsworth.  1790-1850.  “Tintern  Ab- 
bey.” 

Jan.  14.  James  Montgomery.  1776-1854.  “The  Common  Lot.” 
Jan.  15.  Susan  Coolidge  (Sarah  Chauncey  Woolsey) 

1905.  From  a poem  in  “Unity.” 

Jan.  16.  Sarah  Knowles  Bolton.  1841-  . “The  Inev- 

itable.” From  the  American  Anthology. 

Jan.  17.  William  Wordsworth.  “Ode  to  Duty.” 

Jan.  18.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  Prefixed  to  “Essay  on 
Compensation.  ’ ’ 

Jan.  19.  William  Morris  . 1834-1896.  Found  as  a quotation. 
Jan.  20.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Oenone.” 

Jan.  21.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Beggar.” 

Jan.  22.  Matthew  Arnold.  “The  Buried  Life.” 

Jan.  23.  John  Burroughs,  1837-  . “Waiting.”  From 

The  American  Anthology. 

Jan.  24.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  1794-1877.  “Song  of  the 
Stars.  ’ ’ 

Jan.  25.  Robert  Southwell.  “Content  and  Rich.” 

Jan.  26.  Matthew  Arnold.  “The  Buried  Life.” 


106 


Jan.  27.  Charles  Maekay.  1814-1889.  “ Small  Beginnings. ” 
From  Bryants  “A  Library  of  Poetry  and 
Song.” 

Jan.  28.  Harriet  Winslow  Sewell.  1819-1889.  “Why  Thus 
Longing  ? ’ 9 

Jan.  29.  W.  E.  Henley.  1849-1903.  “The  Echo.”  XXXYII. 
Jan.  30.  Annie  Reave  Aldrich.  1866-1892.  “The  Eternal 
Justice.”  From  The  American  Anthology. 

Jan.  31.  Goethe.  Found  as  a quotation. 

Feb.  1.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Psalm.” 

Feb.  2.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  1809-1894. 

Feb.  3.  Algernon  Charles  Swinburne.  1837-.  “Hertha.” 
Feb.  4.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Song”  from  “Enid.” 

Feb.  5.  Goethe.  Found  as  a quotation. 

Feb.  6.  William  Wordsworth.  “The  Happy  Warrior.” 
Feb.  7.  John  Vance  Cheney.  1848-  . “The  Happiest 

Heart.”  From  The  American  Anthology. 

Feb.  8.  John  Lancaster  Spalding.  1840.  “Believe  and  Take 
Heart.”  From  The  American  Anthology. 

Feb.  9.  Richard  Realf.  1834-1877.  “An  Old  Man’s 
Idyl.”  From  The  American  Anthology. 

Feb.  10.  William  Wordsworth.  “Laodamia.” 

Feb.  11.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Questions  of  Life.” 
Feb.  12.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “On  the  Capture  of  Cer- 
tain Fugitive  Slaves  Near  Washington.” 

Feb.  13.  Arthur  Hugh  Clough.  “Dipsychus.” 

Feb.  14.  William  Shakespeare.  “Henry  VIII.” 

Feb.  15.  Edwin  Markham.  1852-.  From  Cosmopolitan, 

June,  1906. 

Feb.  16.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Keramos.” 

Feb.  17.  Matthew  Arnold.  “Self-Dependence.” 

Feb.  18.  Sir  Henry  Wotton.  1568-1639. 

Feb.  19.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “On  the  Capture  of  Cer- 
tain Fugitive  Slaves  near  Washington.” 

Feb.  20.  Gerald  Massey.  1828-  . “To-Day  and  To- 

Morrow.  * 9 

Feb.  21.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall  Sixty  Years 
After.” 

Feb.  22.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Fatherland.” 

Feb.  23.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Quaker  Alumni.” 

Feb.  24.  Ellen  Clementine  Howarth.  1827-1899.  “The 
Faded  Flower.” 


107 


Feb.  25.  Alexander  Pope.  1688-1744.  “ A Universal  Prayer.” 
Feb.  26.  Robert  Herrick.  1591-1674.  “The  True  Lent.” 
Feb.  27.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Soul  and  I.” 
Feb.  28.  Robert  Browning.  “Saul.” 

Feb.  29.  Friedrich  Schiller.  1759-1805.  “Hymn  to  Joy.” 
Translation  by  Bowring,  slightly  modified. 
March  1.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Firmament.” 
March  2.  Richard  Moncklin  Milnes.  (Lord  Houghton). 

1809-1885.  “The  Men  of  Old.” 

March  3.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Evangeline.” 
March  4.  Samuel  Taylor  Coleridge.  1772-1834.  “The 

Good  Great  Man.” 

March  5.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Light  of 
the  Stars.” 

March  6.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Voluntaries.” 

March  7.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “The  Golden  Year.” 

March  8.  Arthur  Hugh  Clough.  1819-1861.  “Easter  Day.” 
March  9.  Edwin  Hatch.  1835-1889.  “Towards  Fields  of 
Light,”  taken  from  “The  Message  of  Man,” 
compiled  by  Stanton  Coit. 

March  10.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Hero.” 

March  11.  Robert  Browning.  “Saul.” 

March  12.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Resignation.” 
March  13.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Andrew  Rykman’s 
Prayer. 9 7 

March  14.  William  Wordsworth.  “Miscellaneous  Sonnets.” 
March  15.  William  C.  Bryant.  “The  Conqueror’s  Grave.” 
March  16.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Ode  Sung  at  the  Opening  of 
the  International  Exhibition.” 

March  17.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Reformer.” 
March  18.  Robert  Browning.  “Paracelsus.” 

March  19.  Thos.  Campbell.  1757-1844.  “Hallowed  Ground.” 
March  20.  William  Wordsworth.  “Dion.” 

March  21.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall.” 

March  22.  Goethe.  “Faust,”  from  the  Translation  by  Bay- 
ard Taylor. 

March  23.  George  Eliot.  1819-1880.  “The  Choir  Invisible.” 
March  24.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “To  Robert  Burns.” 
March  25.  Horatius  Bonar.  1808-1889.  “Think  Truly.” 
March  26.  John  Sullivan  Dwight.  1813-1893.  “Sweet  is 
the  Pleasure.” 

March  27.  Nathaniel  Cotton.  1721-17  . “The  Fire-Side.” 


108 


March  28.  Robert  Browning.  “Saul.” 

March  29.  John  Keble,  1792-1866.  “Morning.” 

March  30.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “The  Artists.” 

March  31.  John  Keble.  “St.  Matthew.” 

April  1.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  World-Soul.” 

April  2.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Voices.” 

April  3.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  “The  Chambered  Nau- 
tilus. 7 7 

April  4.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Evangeline.” 
April  5.  Robert  Browning.  “Abt  Vogler.” 

April  6.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “An  Invitation  to  the 
Country. 7 7 

April  7.  Bryan  Waller  Proctor.  1787-1875.  “A  Petition 
to  Time.”  From  the  Victorian  Anthology. 
April  8.  Arthur  Hugh  Clough.  “The  New  Sinai.” 

April  9.  Matthew  Arnold.  “Lines  Written  in  Kensington 
Gardens. 7 7 

April  10.  Frances  S.  Osgood.  1812-1850.  “Labor.” 

April  11.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Psalm.” 

April  12.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Builders.” 
April  13.  Robert  Browning.  “Abt  Vogler.” 

April  14.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Builders.” 
April  15.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  “The  Old  Player.” 

April  16.  Robert  Southey.  1774-1843.  Found  as  a quotation. 
April  17.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Village 
Blacksmith. 7 7 

April  18.  William  Wordsworth.  “To  My  Sister.” 

April  19.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Lady  Claire  Vere  de  Vere.” 
April  20.  William  Byrd.  1538-1623.  “My  Mind  to  Me  a 
Kingdom  Is.” 

April  21.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Psalm  of  Life.” 
April  22.  William  Wordsworth.  “The  Tables  Turned.” 
April  23.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Threnody.” 

April  24.  Ben  Jonson.  1573-1637.  “The  Noble  Nature.” 
April  25.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall.” 

April  26.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Fiftieth 
Anniversary  of  Agassiz.” 

April  27.  Robert  Browning.  “Rabbi  Ben  Ezra.” 

April  28.  John  G.  Whittier.  “The  Chapel  of  the  Hermits.” 
April  29.  Wm.  Wordsworth.  “Expostulation  and  Reply.” 
April  30.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Rhodora.” 

May  1.  Harriet  Winslow  Sewell.  “Why  Thus  Longing?” 

109 


May  2.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “True  ’Freedom.” 

May  3.  John  Sterling.  1806-1844.  From  a Collection. 
May  4.  Lord  Byron.  1788-1824.  “She  Walks  in  Beauty.” 
May  5.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Longing.” 

May  6.  Alexander  Pope.  “Essay  on  Man.” 

May  7.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.” 
May  8.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Sphinx.” 

May  9.  William  Wordsworth.  “Mountain  Echo.” 

May  10.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Problem.” 

May  11.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Incident  in  a Railroad 
Car.” 

May  12.  Alexander  Pope.  “A  Universal  Prayer.” 

May  13.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Triumph.” 

May  14.  William  Wordsworth.  “Expostulation  and 
Reply. ’ 9 

May  15.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Soul  and  I.” 

May  16.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.” 
May  17.  William  Wordsworth.  “Stray  Pleasures.” 

May  18.  John  Fletcher.  1579-1625.  “Upon  an  Honest 
Man’s  Fortune.” 

May  19.  Robert  Browning.  “A  Death  in  the  Desert.” 

May  20.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  1792-1822.  “Adonais.” 

May  21.  Thomas  Gray.  1716-1751.  “Elegy  Written  in  a 
Country  Church  Yard.” 

May  22.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “The  Song  of  the  Bell.”  From 
the  Translation  by  Bowring. 

May  23.  Goethe.  “Faust.”  From  the  Translation  by  Bay- 
ard Taylor. 

May  24.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Love  Thou  Thy  Land.” 

May  25.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “Prometheus  Unbound.” 

May  26.  John  G.  Whittier.  “The  Tent  on  the  Beach.” 

May  27.  Helen  Hunt  Jackson.  1831-1885.  “The  Way  to 
Sing.” 

May  28.  Lord  Thomas  Vaux.  1510-1556.  “Thought.” 

May  29.  John  Lancaster  Spalding.  “Silence.”  From  The 
American  Anthology. 

May  30.  Minot  J.  Savage.  1841-  . “My  Birth.”  From 

The  American  Anthology. 

May  31.  William  Wordsworth.  “Ode  to  Immortality. ” 

June  1.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Land  of  Dreams.” 
June  2.  William  Wordsworth.  “Tintern  Abbey.” 

June  3.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Guinevere.” 

no 


June  4.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “A  Day  of  Sunshine.’ ’ 
June  5.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “ Each  and  All.” 

June  6.  William  Wordsworth.  “Tintern  Abbey.” 

June  7.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Crisis.” 

June  8.  Edwin  Markham.  “The  Muse  of  Labor.” 

June  9.  Charles  Kingsley.  “Dartside.” 

June  10.  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe.  1812-1896.  “The  Other 
World.” 

June  11.  Anna  L.  Barbauld.  1743-1825.  “The  Death  of  the 
Virtuous. ’ 9 

June  12.  William  Wordsworth.  “The  Happy  Warrior.” 
June  13.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  From  “A  Farewell.” 
June  14.  Horatius  Bonar.  “Everlasting  Light.” 

June  15.  Samuel  Taylor  Coleridge.  “Lines  to  a Lady.” 
June  16.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “The  Words  of  Faith.” 

June  17.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.” 
June  18.  Robert  Browning.  “Rabbi  Ben  Ezra.” 

June  19.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “Charles  Sumner.” 

June  20.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Wood  Notes.” 

June  21.  William  Shakespeare.  “As  You  Like  It.” 

June  22.  William  Wordsworth.  “Tintern  Abbey.” 

June  23.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Child  Songs.” 

June  24.  Audrey  Thomas  De  Vere.  1814-1902.  “Songs.” 
From  The  Victorian  Anthology. 

June  25.  Robert  Browning.  “A  Soul’s  Tragedy.” 

June  26.  William  Shakespeare.  “Hamlet.” 

June  27.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “The  Sky  Lark.” 

June  28.  George  Herbert.  1593-1633.  “The  Elixir.” 

June  29.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Centennial  Hymn.” 
June  30.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Lapse  of  Time.” 
July  1.  Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning.  1806-1861.  “Lady 
Geraldine ’s  Courtship.  ’ ’ 

July  2.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Boston  Hymn.” 

July  3.  George  Eliot.  “The  Choir  Invisible.” 

July  4.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Commemoration  Ode.” 
July  5.  Alexander  Pope.  “Essay  on  Man.” 

July  6.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “The  Sensitive  Plant.” 

July  7.  William  Wordsworth.  From  “Lines”  in  “Poems 
of  His  Youth.” 

July  8.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall  Sixty  Years 
After.  ’ ’ 

July  9.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Flowers.” 

ill 


July  10.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “My  Garden.’ ’ 

July  11.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Triumph.” 

July  12.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Conqueror’s  Grave.” 
July  13.  James  Russell  Lowell.  Hound  as  a quotation. 

July  14.  Charles  Mackay.  “Clear  the  Way.” 

July  15.  Gerald  Massey.  “To-Day  and  To-Morrow.” 

July  16.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  “The  Secret  of  the  Stars.” 
July  17.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Raphael.” 

July  18.  Robert  Browning.  “Rabbi  Ben  Ezra.” 

July  19.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.” 
July  20.  William  Wordsworth.  “Ode  to  Duty.” 

July  21.  Christopher  P.  Cranch.  1813-1892.  “Thought.” 
July  22.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “ Thanatopsis.  ” 

July  23.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  “Questioning.” 

July  24.  John  G.  Whittier.  “Andrew  Rykman’s  Prayer.” 
July  25.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Forest  Hymn.” 
July  26.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.” 
July  27.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “Prometheus  Unbound.” 

July  28.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Wood  Notes.” 

July  29.  James  Russell  Lowell.  Found  as  a quotation. 

July  30.  John  G.  Whittier.  “The  Chapel  of  the  Hermits.” 
July  31.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “Scenes  on  the  Banks  of 
the  Hudson.” 

Aug.  1.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “Prometheus  Unbound.” 

Aug.  2.  William  Wordsworth.  “Ode  to  Duty.” 

Aug.  3.  Alexander  Pope.  “Essay  on  Man.” 

Aug.  4.  John  Lancaster  Spalding.  “Silence.” 

Aug.  5.  Robert  Louis  Stevenson.  1850-1894.  Found  as  a 
quotation. 

Aug.  6.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Each  and  All.” 

Aug.  7.  William  Chandler  Bagley.  From  Harper’s  Maga- 
zine. Copyrighted,  and  reprinted  here  by 
special  consent  of  author  and  publisher. 

Aug.  8.  William  James  Linton.  “Patience.”  From  The 
Victorian  Anthology. 

Aug.  9.  Harriet  Martineau.  1802-1876.  “On,  on  For- 
ever. ’ ’ From  The  Victorian  Anthology. 

Aug.  10.  Lydia  Maria  Child.  1802-1880.  “The  World  I am 
Passing  Through.”  From  The  American  An- 
thology. 

Aug.  11.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Voices.” 

Aug.  12.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Voluntaries.” 

112 


Aug.  13.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “The  Words  of  Illusion.” 
From  the  Translation  by  Bulwer,  modified. 
Aug.  14.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Longing.” 

Aug.  15.  John  G.  Whittier.  “The  Vision  of  Echard.” 
Aug.  16.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Sphinx.” 

Aug.  17.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Forest  Hymn.” 
Aug.  18.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Democracy.” 

Aug.  19.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “Prometheus  Unbound.” 

Aug.  20.  Richard  Henry  Stoddard.  1825-1903.  “The 
Flight  of  the  Arrow.” 

Aug.  21.  Frederick  William  Faber.  “The  Right  Must  Win.” 
Aug.  22.  Charles  Mackay.  “Clear  the  Way.”  Found  in 
“Voices  of  Freedom.” 

Aug.  23.  Thomas  Cooper.  1805-1892.  “Chartist’s  Song.” 
From  The  Victorian  Anthology. 

Aug.  24.  William  Cowper.  1731-1800.  “Providence.” 

Aug.  25.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Vision  of  Sir  Launfal.” 
Aug.  26.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “In  Memoriam.” 

Aug.  27.  Walt  Whitman.  1819-1892.  “Leaves  of  Grass.” 
Aug.  28.  John  Milton.  1608-1674.  “Sonnet  on  His  Blind- 
ness.” 

Aug.  29.  Goethe.  Hound  as  a quotation. 

Aug.  30.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Nothing  Will  Die.” 

Aug.  31.  Thomas  Campbell.  “Hallowed  Ground.” 

Sept.  1.  Found  in  an  article  in  the  “Unitarian  Review.” 
Author  not  located. 

Sept.  2.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes.  “The  Voiceless.” 

Sept  3.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall.” 

Sept.  4.  George  Herbert.  “Virtue.” 

Sept.  5.  George  Eliot.  “The  Choir  Invisible.” 

Sept.  6.  Arthur  Hugh  Clough.  “Say  Not  the  Struggle 
Naught  Availeth.” 

Sept.  7.  W.  C.  Gannett.  1840.  “Building  of  the  Temple.” 

Sept.  8.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “National,  Daemonic  and 

Celestial  Love.” 

Sept.  9.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “The  Ideal  and  Life.” 

Sept.  10.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Summer  by  the  Lake 
Side.” 

Sept.  11.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Locksley  Hall  Sixty  Years 
After.  ’ 9 

Sept.  12.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.” 

Sept.  13.  William  Wordsworth.  “Tintern  Abbey.” 

113 


Sept.  14.  Robert  Burns.  1759-1796.  Found  as  a quotation. 
Sept.  15.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  Psalm.” 

Sept.  16.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Poet.” 

Sept.  17.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “The  Children’s  Crusade.” 
Sept.  18.  Edwin  Markham.  “Brotherhood.” 

Sept.  19.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Rantoul.” 

Sept.  20.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “Building  of  the  Ship.” 
Sept  21.  Frances  S.  Osgood.  “Labor.” 

Sept.  22.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “A  Stanza  on  Freedom.” 
Sept.  23.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Questions  of  Life.” 
Sept.  24.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  World-Soul.” 

Sept.  25.  William  Wordsworth.  “Tintern  Abbey.” 

Sept.  26.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “Blessed  Are  They 
That  Mourn.” 

Sept.  27.  Eugene  F.  Ware.  1841- 

Sept.  28.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “To  . With 

a copy  of  Woolman’s  Journal.” 

Sept.  29.  Elizabeth  B.  Browning.  “Human  Life’s  Misery.” 
Sept.  30.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Brook.” 

Oct.  1.  Friedrich  Schiller.  “Hope.” 

Oct.  2.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Astrsea.” 

Oct.  3.  William  Wordsworth.  “The  Happy  Warrior.” 
Oct.  4.  Lord  Thomas  Yaux.  “Thought.” 

Oct.  5.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “Raphael.” 

Oct.  6.  Edwin  Markham.  “Service.” 

Oct.  7.  Sir  Henry  Wotton.  “A  Good  Man.” 

Oct.  8.  “Inscription  on  Baron  Stein’s  Tomb.”  Found  as 
a quotation. 

Oct.  9.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “Translation 
from  a German  Poem.” 

Oct.  10.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Squirrel.” 

Oct.  11.  Matthew  Arnold.  “Sonnet  on  Immortality.” 

Oct.  12.  William  Wordsworth.  “Ode  to  Duty.” 

Oct.  13.  Percy  Adams  Hutchison.  “Measure  of  a Man.” 
Oct.  14.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “Walden.” 

Oct.  15.  John  Milton.  “Comus.” 

Oct.  16.  Edwin  Markham.  “The  Witness  of  the  Dust.” 
Oct.  17.  W.  E.  Henley.  “To  R.  T.  H.  B.” 

Oct.  18.  Gerald  Massey.  “To-Day  and  To-Morrow.” 

Oct.  19.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “Building  of  the  Ship.” 
Oct.  20.  John  Sullivan  Dwight.  “True  Pleasure.” 

Oct.  21.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “Our  Country’s  Call.” 

114 


Oct.  22.  Edna  Dean  Proctor.  1838-  . “Our  Heroes.7 7 

Oct.  23.  W.  E.  Henley.  “The  Echoes.77  XI. 

Oct.  24.  Charles  Kingsley.  “The  World’s  Age.77 
Oct.  25.  William  Shakespeare.  “Measure  for  Measure.77 
Oct.  26.  Author  not  located.  Found  in  a poem  in  “Unity.77 
Oct.  27.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  Prefixed  to  “Essay  on  Na- 
ture.77 

Oct.  28.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “My  triumph.77 
Oct.  29.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.77 
Oct.  30.  Robert  Southwell.  “Content  and  Rich.77 
Oct.  31.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Sphinx.77 
Nov.  1.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Beggar.77 
Nov.  2.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “Blessed  Are  They  That 
Mourn. 7 7 

Nov.  3.  William  Wordsworth.  “The  Happy  Warrior. 
Nov.  4.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Battle  Field.77 
Nov.  5.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  Problem.77 
Nov.  6.  John  Dryden.  “Imitation  of  Horace.77  Hound  as 
a quotation. 

Nov.  7.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “Life.77 
Nov.  8.  Matthew  Arnold.  “A  Summer  Night.77 
Nov.  9.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Reformer.77 
Nov.  10.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Sonnet.77 
Nov.  11.  John  G.  Whittier.  “The  Burial  of  Barbour.77 
Nov.  12.  Wm.  Wordsworth.  “Poems  of  the  Imagination. 7 7 
Nov.  13.  Helen  Hunt  Jackson.  “Refrain.77 
Nov.  14.  Harriet  Winslow  Sewell.  “Why  Thus  Longing?77 
Nov.  15.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “The  Secret  of  the  Sea.77 
Nov.  16.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Maud.77 
Nov.  17.  Goethe.  “Faust.77  Bayard  Taylor’s  Translation. 
Nov.  18.  E.  T.  Clapp.  “The  Soul’s  Prophesy.77 
Nov.  19.  Matthew  Arnold.  “Self-Dependence.77 
Nov.  20.  Robert  Browning.  “Saul.77 
Nov.  21.  William  Wordsworth.  “Forbearance.77 
Nov.  22.  E.  T.  Clapp.  “The  Soul’s  Prophesy.77 
Nov.  23.  Robert  Browning.  “Abt  Vogler.77 
Nov.  24.  William  Wordsworth.  “Laodamia. 77 
Nov.  25.  Thomas  Gray.  “Ode  on  the  Pleasure  Arising  from 
Vicissitude. 7 7 

Nov.  26.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.77 
Nov.  27.  Sarah  J.  Hale.  1788-1879.  “Alice  Ray.77  From 
The  American  Anthology. 

115 


Nov.  28.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “ Essay  on  Power.” 

Nov.  29.  Ernst  H.  Crosby.  1856-  . “The  Search/ ’ 

From  Plain  Talk  in  Psalm  and  Parable. 

Nov.  30.  Edwin  Markham.  “The  Angelus.  ” 

Dec.  1.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Meeting. ” 

Dec.  2.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “ Sonnet/ ’ 

Dec.  3.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  Introduction  to  Treatise 
on  “ Nature/  ’ 

Dec.  4.  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow.  “The  Wind  Over 
the  Chimney/  ’ 

Dec.  5.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Meeting/ ’ 

Dec.  6.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “ Waldeinsamkeit.” 

Dec.  7.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Sonnet/’ 

Dec.  8.  William  Wordsworth.  “Sonnet  to  Milton/’ 

Dec.  9.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “Charles  Sumner.” 

Dec.  10.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Elegy  on  the  Death  of 

Dr.  Channing.  ” 

Dee.  11.  Theodore  Parker.  1810-1860.  “The  Higher  Good.” 
Dec.  12.  Lydia  Maria  Child.  “The  World  I am  Passing 
Through.”  From  The  American  Anthology. 
Dec.  13.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.” 

Dec.  14.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Lapse  of  Time.” 
Dec.  15.  Charles  Mackay.  “Small  Beginnings.” 

Dec.  16.  Percy  B.  Shelley.  “Euganian  Hills.” 

Dec.  17.  Ralph  Waldo  Emerson.  “The  World-Soul.” 

Dec.  18.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Incident  in  a Railway 
Car.” 

Dec.  19.  William  Cullen  Bryant.  “The  Rivulet.” 

Dec.  20.  Eugene  F.  Ware.  “The  Child  of  Fate.” 

Dec.  21.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Commemoration  Ode.” 
Dec.  22.  John  Greenleaf  Whittier.  “The  Meeting.” 

Dec.  23.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “The  Flower.” 

Dec.  24.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “Incident  in  a Railway 
Car.” 

Dec.  25.  William  Wordsworth.  “To  My  Sister.” 

Dec.  26.  Alfred  Tennyson.  “Enid.” 

Dec.  27.  Elizabeth  B.  Browning.  “Human  Life’s  Misery.” 
Dec.  28.  James  Russell  Lowell.  “The  Present  Crisis.” 

Dec.  29.  Henry  W.  Longfellow.  “Santa  Filomena.” 

Dec.  30.  William  Wbrdsworth.  “Ode  to  Duty.” 

Dec.  31.  Charles  Mackay.  “Clear  the  Way.” 

116 


